I love fresh bread, there is nothing better.  The only problem is that often times, we can’t eat it all before it starts to go bad. There are many ways to use up bread that is about to go bad.  You can save yourself money and future prep time just by thinking about other ways you normally use bread and go from there.

1.  Croutons- Do you eat a lot of salad? I don’t, but maybe you do.  Cube the bread, toss with a little olive oil and seasonings of your choice, bake in the oven and you have croutons. Store in an airtight container.
2. Breadcrumbs- I love cooking with breadcrumbs and I almost never buy a can at the grocery store.  I just put my “about to go bad” bread in the blender and grind it up.  Put the breadcrumbs in a freezer bag and store them… in the freezer.  You will have great breadcrumbs available at a moment’s notice.
3. Cubed Bread- Do you make stuffing/dressing? Bread pudding? Strata? French Toast Casserole? I make French Toast Casserole, sometimes out of baguette slices, sometimes out of cubed bread (depends on my mood).  I cube the bread, throw it in a Ziplock and put it in the freezer.  Next time I want French Toast Casserole I’m ready to go!
   

   

   

The bread doesn’t have to be all the same, just label it so you know what you have.  For example, a French toast casserole is delicious with leftover baguette, brioche, challah, etc.  Use one or a mix it up.  French toast casserole probably wouldn’t be so good with a garlic & rosemary loaf… but that would make great croutons!

Anyone have any other great tips?  Please feel free to share them in the comments section below!