I love croutons. But aren't they expensive and go so quickly? Solution: homemade croutons from leftover communion bread!
Last month after communion at church I discovered that the leftover bread (sometimes still in loaves, sometimes already cut) either gets thrown away or fed to the birds, literally. So today, after communion, I swallowed my pride and asked one of the elders if there were plans for the left over bread and if not, if I could have it.
If you've never made homemade croutons before, give it a try. Any kind of bread will work. Just cut it up into crouton-sized pieces (choose how big or small you want them). I use a scissors, rather than a knife; and don't worry about uniformity.
Spread a layer of bread cubes on a baking sheet. I like to drizzle the bread cubes lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake at about 200 degrees for a long time. I don't go higher than 250 because they seem to burn rather than turn golden brown. Stir it every so often to check on how they are doing and do a taste test. Choose how well done you want them; just make sure they are baked enough that there isn't moisture left in the bread to turn moldy later on.
Store them in a ziplock bag. Add to soups or salads, or as a casserole topping. Let me know if you have tried other seasonings. Someday I'd like to try it with ranch dressing mix or something else...
Awesome idea! Great stewardship:)...
ReplyDeleteI know some pastors who use the leftover communion bread for bread pudding, another one uses it for bread with a meal, just take a handfull and eat. We have been making our own croutons for years from the crusts off the loaves of bread we eat. I use the recipe out of the Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn. 4 slices bread cubed, 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp celery salt, 1/4 tsp garlic salt, & 2 Tbsp oil. Toss all ingredients, spread on cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees until crip, which is usually 30 min. I have used other seasonings as well. There are three Tighwad Gazette books and all are excellent!
ReplyDeleteI've totally done this before too! I like to us spices like oregano too... and I've put my big crunchy crouton in breakfast casseroles! I have to say I'm surprised your church tossed the bread! Makes me wonder what our church does now... I know in SD someone took them home :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm, Sandy, that recipe sounds good. I'll try it next time!
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