Stale bread can be used in many ways, from croutons to bread pudding to stuffing. Here are some ideas from various sources:
- Croutons: Cut or tear stale bread into pieces, toss them in olive oil and seasonings, and bake them in the oven until crispy.
- Breadcrumbs: Use a food processor to turn stale bread into breadcrumbs, which can be used in recipes like meatballs or as a coating for fried foods.
- Bread pudding: Soak stale bread in a sweet custard mixture and bake it in the oven for a delicious dessert.
- Stuffing: Use stale bread as a base for stuffing, which can be flavored with herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients.
- French toast: Dip stale bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, then cook it on a griddle or in a pan.
- Panzanella: A Tuscan salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables.
- Strata: A savory bread pudding made with stale bread, eggs, cheese, and other ingredients.
- Meatloaf: Use stale bread as a binder in meatloaf, along with ground meat, vegetables, and seasonings.
- Cabbage steaks with crispy chickpeas: A vegetarian dish made with roasted cabbage and crispy chickpeas, topped with breadcrumbs made from stale bread.
- Ribollita: A Tuscan soup made with stale bread, vegetables, and beans.
- Sheet-pan roasted squash and feta salad: A salad made with roasted squash, feta cheese, and breadcrumbs made from stale bread.
- Italian sweet bread pudding: A dessert made with stale bread, milk, sugar, and other ingredients.
- Big-batch meatballs and red sauce: Use stale bread instead of store-bought breadcrumbs to make meatballs.
- Caramelized onion, spinach, and Gruyere strata: A savory bread pudding made with stale bread, eggs, cheese, and vegetables.
- Stale croissants with ham and cheese: Cut stale croissants into cubes, brown them in a pan with butter and garlic, and serve them with ham and cheese.
These are just a few ideas for using stale bread. With a little creativity, there are many other ways to give new life to old bread and reduce food waste in the kitchen.
