Kitchen

[Stella Dallas]

On 3/12/2015 RespectLife said:

On 3/12/2015 northernlights said:

Yes, GoodStuff, you are right. Stale bread makes great French toast. I was going to suggest that, but you beat me to it!

I have also used it for bread pudding, too. I knew about reviving it with water, too.

One of my Grammas taught me to do that. She wouldn't put the bread under running water, but rather she would just sprinkle some water on whatever amount she was using, and then would reheat it. It would turn out nice and warm and slightly crispy on the crust. Really good that way.

That's good to know, northernlights, that this method worked for your Gramma. Thanks for the input on how she did it.

I do know there are lots of good things to do with stale bread, would never go to waste. We just love bread pudding!

I would just really like to EAT some of these 1/2 crusty loaves a second or third time. Esp. with a leftover helping of a good soup or stew. I love a piece of crusty bread with soup!

I'm going to try this water method of revival next time!

I'd like to try making bread pudding; can you post a recipe?

[RespectLife]

Thank you Mrs. G for your suggestion! Very Helpful!

Stella, I promise to try and post some of my favorite bread pudding recipes for you tomorrow.

[Toppers]

Hi Stella,

I have a bread pudding recipe for you, that I would be happy to share with you, and anyone else who would like to try it.

I will start a new post with your name in it.

It's from an old McCall's Magazine cookbook. My Mom gave it to me when I was first married. My Dad's Gramma gave it to her one Christmas, as a gift, and she in turn gave it to me.

I think that it was from the 1960's, and I have had it since the early 80's. Anyway, I still make recipes from it. It's a great cookbook, as it has some of those yummy comfort food recipes in it, that taste so good!

[RespectLife]

Thanks northern for starting the Bread Pudding Thread. Great idea.

I will post some recipes there too. Can't wait to see some new ones!!

[debic]

On 3/11/2015 RespectLife said:

Oh yes...the article did mention...moldy is a goner and that you can make croutons/breadcrumbs...sorry, I didn't bother to print that part.

I was just intrigued by the method of bringing it back to 'original' eating condition!

Thank you Goodstuff...that is a great suggestion and I do have a steamer basket.

debc, I have also frozen half of the loaf. To be honest, once defrosted, it still tastes a bit 'old' to me. The only bread I use out of the freezer is for Bread Puddings.

I used to give the balance of stale loaves to my MIL to feed the ducks/geese but her complex yelled at her to stop it due to complaints about goose poop!

I generally freeze it then vacuum it in foodsaver bags.

If I need dried bread, I usually dry/toast it in the oven.

[RespectLife]

debc...Someone just gave me a free foodsaver machine! Maybe that will make the difference.

You freeze it first and THEN vac seal it? Would you mind explaining the details to me?

Speaking of foodsaver machines...they always say during the on-air demo that you can reuse the bags?

I'm assuming NOT the bags you froze chix in? I used it for the first time and froze chix. When I defrosted...the bag was filled w/ 'chix juice'. I threw it away thinking no way I should reuse a chix bag even if washed? Was I right to have tossed it?

Do you or anyone else have a foodsaver machine and thoughts on reusing the bags?

[debic]

On 3/13/2015 RespectLife said:

debc...Someone just gave me a free foodsaver machine! Maybe that will make the difference.

You freeze it first and THEN vac seal it? Would you mind explaining the details to me?

Speaking of foodsaver machines...they always say during the on-air demo that you can reuse the bags?

I'm assuming NOT the bags you froze chix in? I used it for the first time and froze chix. When I defrosted...the bag was filled w/ 'chix juice'. I threw it away thinking no way I should reuse a chix bag even if washed? Was I right to have tossed it?

Do you or anyone else have a foodsaver machine and thoughts on reusing the bags?

It's pretty soft to vacuum first. I freeze it and then vacuum and press seal as soon as I think it's close to squashing the bread. I don't ever use the wet or low cycle as I think that stops too soon.

There's no way I would reuse those bags. IMHO it takes more water and soap to clean them than it does just buying the bags. The lessor of 2 evils for me.

About 90% of my foodsaver use is 1/2 gallon jars. I've been buying them since the early 80's so I probably have a couple hundred. I've recently come across the pint and a half jars so I've been buying some of those.

[debic]

A better pic. *ETA* These are 3 deep. Most my stuff is downstairs in the storage room.

[RespectLife]

Oh wow, debc...thanks for the pics and info. I am going to try the water method AND freezing w/ the foodsaver bags next loaf I get.

I would love to shop in your pantry! I always have to go shopping for ingredients when I pick out my menu.

I didn't think it wise to reuse that chix bag either. Thanks for confirming that for me!

[scotnovel]

My mother used to put a couple of quarters of apple in with the bread and the moisture in the apple is absorbed by the bread and it is revived (and it doesn't taste like apple). I haven't used that method myself because I use the stale bread for dressing, french toast, bread pudding etc.