What can stale bread be used for?

Stale bread is a culinary treasure waiting to be rediscovered! It's far from garbage, and has a surprisingly wide range of uses. Here are some ideas:

Savory:

* Croutons: The classic! Toss cubes of stale bread with olive oil, herbs, and spices, then bake until golden and crispy.

* Breadcrumbs: Pulse stale bread in a food processor to create breadcrumbs for coating meats, fish, or vegetables before frying or baking.

* Stuffing/Dressing: Use stale bread as the base for delicious stuffing for poultry, vegetables, or even a standalone dish.

* French Toast: Soak stale bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices for a hearty breakfast treat.

* Panzanella Salad: Combine stale bread with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a vinaigrette for a refreshing summer salad.

* Soup Thickener: Add crumbled stale bread to soups and stews to thicken them and add a hearty texture.

* Bread Pudding: Combine stale bread with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then bake until golden and custardy.

* Fried Bread: Dip slices of stale bread in batter and fry until golden brown and crispy.

* Garlic Bread: Toast stale bread and top with garlic butter for a flavorful side dish.

Sweet:

* Bread Pudding: As mentioned above, this is a fantastic way to use stale bread for a sweet dessert.

* Cake Crumbs: Use stale bread crumbs as a base for cheesecakes or other desserts.

* Bread and Butter Pudding: Combine stale bread with butter, sugar, and spices, then bake until golden and custard-like.

Beyond the Kitchen:

* Compost: Stale bread can be added to your compost bin, adding valuable carbon to the mix.

* Bird Feed: Break up stale bread into small pieces and scatter it in your garden to feed birds.

* Cleaning: Use a piece of stale bread to absorb spills or clean up grease.

Remember, stale bread is just bread that's a little past its prime, and with a little creativity, you can use it to create a variety of delicious and satisfying dishes!