Monday September 29, 2008, 5:06 am
My favorite thing to do with old long-loaf type bread is to make authentic French Toast. Originally "pain perdu" - or "lost bread" - in French, the traditional recipe is based on old bread that has become too hard for enjoying along with soup and salad. French Toast made the old-fashioned way is SOOOOO good - nothing like the floppy, limp crap they serve in most everyday brunch 'n' lunch venues.

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:38 am
get for useing as home made stuffing,so many thing too use it for ty

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:41 am
I seldom have any bread left, but if I do I make bread crumbs or feed it to the ducks on our pond.

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:45 am
I'm already on an austerity budget, and even if I weren't, I don't believe in wasting anything ! Creativity comes to the fore when we have such respect for food.
You are right about the French Toast, Cate, Homemade is sublime (with BUTTER !), diner stuff: nasty.

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:57 am
lots of butter...unsalted...and, off the austerity budget...real maple syrup...

Monday September 29, 2008, 6:04 am
I don't know about you but I just loved the bread pudding my mum used to make...cinnamon and raisins...aaaaahhhh delicious! Especially on a nippy fall or a cold winter's day! I think I'll give her a call right now! LOL

Monday September 29, 2008, 6:43 am
Waste not...want not.My grandmother had a recipes for using soda crackers that once spices were added you'd swear you were eating apple pie...I'm sure the texture of the crackers made them a good subsitution..wouldn't work with bread but that's what bread pudding is for...lol...
With the news as it is are you trying to tell us to stick with bread Cate..?Bush told us to just go out and shop to keep the economy sound..RIGHT ! I'm now waiting for the can't afford bread buy cake line....

Monday September 29, 2008, 8:28 am
My mother prepared French Toast fried in Crisco, delightfully crispy. While we wouldn't do that now, I still prefer it that way, except that I use corn oil. Also, the tomatoe/bread prep was the occasional side dish. I was thinking that grating it to make bread crumbs might be another way to make use of it. While I rarely use them, I might more often if they were handy. I think if sealed well, and with the obligatory cracker?...

Monday September 29, 2008, 8:46 am
Bread pudding,Yum

Monday September 29, 2008, 8:47 am
I have done the hot oil French Toast thing too, Suruna...and it IS good.

Monday September 29, 2008, 9:34 am
We rarely have bread left. I'm not so sure about going out and spending for the economy........you have to have money to do so and many of us aren't in that category of having the money to just spend. At least, I'm not.

My mom use to make Bread Pudding. Yummy! Wish I had some right now.

Monday September 29, 2008, 10:04 am
if the bread did not turn green i feed it to the birds,squirlles and whatever hungry critter is hungry

Monday September 29, 2008, 10:47 am
Noted. Yes, indeed, you folks know your way around French toast and Bread Pudding! Now if only I had some 'bread'...lol....I need a bailout on the 29th of the month! Thanks,Cate!

Monday September 29, 2008, 11:47 am
Bread don't go bad around here. We keep it in the fridge/freezer and eat a lot of it.

Monday September 29, 2008, 12:15 pm
Bread and butter pudding - the bread MUST be old or the pudding goes goo-ey
noted

Monday September 29, 2008, 2:55 pm
For a breadman's daughter, the taste, smell, and feel of ANY sort of bread is a lot what I think HEAVEN will be full of! Good article....thanks!

Monday September 29, 2008, 3:27 pm
Alright, it is official, I will be dining with each of you all year round, three meals a day..... see you soon :o) yummmy!

Warm regards, Namaste

Monday September 29, 2008, 4:18 pm
Anytime, Pete - you show up, we'll feed ya!

Monday September 29, 2008, 4:22 pm
I love my Mom's bread pudding. You guys made me hungry for the old days.

Monday September 29, 2008, 4:35 pm
When I was "divorcing" , and was selling the old homestead, anytime a buyer was coming to do the look around, I would light the fireplace, and bake bread. Sold that house in six days. I can't find any bread in the store that I like so make my own and none of it ever goes to waste. Garlic croutons, bread pudding, french toast and many casserole dishes.
Thank You Ombretta

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:09 pm
Nostalgic memories of my mum making bread and butter pudding, bread pudding, stuffing with old bread..... She was a child during the depression
(In Europe, where I hear it was a bit harder for folks than in the USA) and
NEVER THREW ANY FOOD OUT. I rarely do either. Thanks, Cate. Thanks to Lynnzie for reminding me of the bread and butter pudding ~ Send me the recipe, friend!!

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:27 pm
Whenever I get a loaf of french bread I turn the last dried out remains into bread crumbs for baked zucchini or eggplant. I never had bread pudding. Sounds like I've missed out! I would try to make it if someone would post a recipe.....

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:42 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/health/nutrition/08recipehealth.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Bread pudding recipe

Monday September 29, 2008, 5:53 pm
Here's another from crazy lady Paula Deen: The Best Bread Pudding

You know, I love almost all puddings except this one! I dislike "wet bread"...same reason I don't like tiramisu with those soggy ladyfingers...but I DO love Grapenut pudding!

Monday September 29, 2008, 9:08 pm
YUM! I usually make my world famous French Toast, but I've got to try some of these. Thanks!

Monday September 29, 2008, 11:55 pm
It`s just another full proof example of the Denial going on that we up the creek without a paddle............

Tuesday September 30, 2008, 3:58 am
I make bread-crumbs

Tuesday September 30, 2008, 10:37 am
I freeze it & use for stuffing or feed it to the birds.

Tuesday September 30, 2008, 10:56 am
I tear the 1st 3 and last 3 pcs in a loaf up and feed it to the birds along with the water bowl I keep outside for them. Watching and listening to them every morning early is part of my daily zen and they deserve to be rewarded.
I put birdseed out too.