Best uses for stale bread?

Question

We always seem to end up with heels (or more) of the artisan breads we buy. A lot of it goes into the compost, which seems a waste. Other suggestions?

Answer 1

my old mum used to use the stale bread would believe to clean old wall paper that had gone shabby. Then cut a slice off and continue using it The method works like using a rubber on paper to rub out a mark.

If the bread is not too stale why not use it in bread and butter pudding with a little margarine currants milk and egg it makes up lo vely

Answer 2

My first choice if it's only heels would be breadcrumbs, but if you have more then I'd consider a bread pudding. They are easy enough to whip up and a yummy comfort food.

There is one other thing that I've been trying to find a recipe for. There is a Japanese Bakery that sells what they call "Almond Rusk." It is stale/toasted/braked slices of bread that have been coated with what looks like it was a foamy almond topping that bakes crispy & a tiny bit chewy. They are so good, especially with a cup of coffee, and I would bet they use stale bread for it. Wish I could share a recipe but I've yet to find one (and I've looked for it). But that would move to my #1 choice if/when I figure out how to make it.

Answer 3

While the best use is bread crumbs, I love using stale bread for FRENCH TOAST!!

Beat up a couple of eggs, add in some milk, vanilla extract, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, dip in the bread and brown in a skillet. Nothing tastier - and not just for breakfast, but French Toast makes for a great dessert base for vanilla ice cream and chunky applesauce!

Answer 4

You can dry it out, and crush it and use it as bread crumbs in lots of recipes.

Making your own Seasoned Bread Crumbs
It's easy to make your own seasoned bread crumbs for use as a crisp casserole topping, a coating for chicken or fish or a crust for vegetable gratin's. Use completely dry or stale bread, tear it into small pieces and grind it into crumbs in a food processor. If your bread is still somewhat soft, cut into thin slices and place in a 250 degrees oven until completely dry. Season the dried bread by simply spraying with cooking spray and coating with herbs.

Answer 5

Stale bread can be made into bread crumbs and used for all kinds of things..I like to use in meatballs, meatloaf and to top casseroles. You can also freeze bread and use it later..or you can always feed the birds:)

Answer 6

Dried bread crumbs, bruschetta, french toast, bread pudding, croutons... Especially croutons, tossed in olive oil, garlic, and other seasonings you like, bake on a cooling rack on top of a sheet pan, so they're healthy too!

Answer 7

Dry it out and blend it into crumbs,then use in hamburger. I sometimes freeze the bread and bake bread pudding, at a later date or feed it to the birds. They would love it.

Answer 8

Depending, on the age, day old bread is great for grilled sandwiches, french toast, bread crumbs, crutons, as a dipper for fondu, or bread pudding.

Answer 9

Dry it out, and make breadcrumbs. Next, fry some finely chopped onion, add 1 teaspoon mixed dry herbs, one can of crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper. Once it's simmered for a couple of minutes, slowly pour in enough dry breadcrumbs to make it spreadable. Now,quickly stir in a beaten egg. Allow to cool and it's delicious as sandwich filling, or spread on toast. We call it "Mock Chicken"

Answer 10

Bread pudding
Here's one recipe, our you can do a search.
http://recipes.tasteofhome.com/eRMS/recp.aspx?recid=6102
You can save up the heels in the freezer if need be.

Homemade bread crumbs
Just dry and crush them. Use on chicken, fish...