Bread crumbs are a versatile ingredient that can instantly enhance the texture and flavor of various dishes. Whether used as a seasoning, garnish, or as a key component in stuffings, they play a crucial role in adding substance to your culinary creations. While making your own bread crumbs using homemade bread or a quality bakery loaf is preferred for their coarse texture, having a pack of panko, the Japanese-style bread crumbs, in your pantry is always handy.
In this recipe, we will guide you on how to make your own bread crumbs, along with two variations: toasted bread crumbs and fried bread crumbs. The toasted bread crumbs have a delightful crunch and can be made in advance, while the fried bread crumbs offer a flavorful twist but are best used immediately.
So, let’s gather the necessary ingredients and learn how to make these versatile bread crumbs!
MAKES: About 2 cups
TIME: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- About 1/2 large loaf of French or Italian bread, preferably a day or two old
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Tear the bread into pieces and place about half of it in a food processor.
- Pulse the food processor a few times to chop the bread coarsely.
- Allow the machine to run for a few seconds until the bread is coarsely chopped.
- Remove the chopped bread from the food processor and repeat the process with the remaining bread.
- The bread crumbs are now ready to use immediately or can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month.
Toasted Bread Crumbs:
- After grinding the bread crumbs, spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake the bread crumbs in a preheated 350°F oven, shaking the pan occasionally.
- Continue baking until the bread crumbs are lightly browned, which should take around 15 minutes.
- Once toasted, you can store these bread crumbs as fresh or toast them just before using for optimal flavor.
Fried Bread Crumbs:
- Heat 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add the bread crumbs to the skillet and cook them while stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking until the bread crumbs are lightly browned, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Season the fried bread crumbs with salt or any spice blend of your choice.
- These bread crumbs are best used immediately as they may not keep as well as untoasted ones.
Other Use for (Slightly) Stale Bread:
If you have some slightly stale bread on hand, here’s an additional idea to make the most of it:
Melba Toast:
- Slice the bread as thinly as possible, aiming for 1/8 inch thickness if feasible.
- Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast them in a 250°F oven for approximately 30 minutes, turning once.
- Allow the melba toasts to thoroughly dry, cool them on a rack, and store them in a tin for extended freshness.
These creative alternatives ensure that your slightly stale bread doesn’t go to waste and instead becomes a delightful addition to your meals.
Enjoy experimenting with these bread crumbs and adding them to your favorite dishes for an extra element of texture and flavor!
