Start with bread that is still suitable to eat
These ideas are for bread that has become dry or firm. Discard mouldy bread; turning it into toast or crumbs does not make it suitable to eat.
The toast supper
Toast gives yesterday’s bread a new texture. Try it with beans in tomato sauce, scrambled eggs, mushrooms or a spoonful of tomato-and-onion relish. Add a salad or vegetables you enjoy and call it supper. Toast has been carrying busy households for years; it can handle tonight.
A little pizza situation
Use thick slices as a base. Add a light layer of tomato sauce, a little cheese and thinly sliced toppings that suit quick cooking. Heat until the cheese melts and the bread is crisp. Avoid piling the slice so high that the topping overwhelms the base.
Crumbs with a purpose
Break dry bread into pieces and pulse it into crumbs, or grate a firm piece. Toast the crumbs in a pan with a little oil and your preferred seasoning. Scatter over vegetables or pasta for crunch. Make what you need for the meal rather than creating another forgotten tub.
The braaibroodjie shortlist
Cheese, tomato and onion is a familiar starting point. Add chutney if you like a sweet note. Slice the fillings thinly, keep the sandwich manageable and turn it while it toasts. The best braaibroodjie is the one that reaches your plate before somebody else volunteers to “check” it.
Plan the last slices early
If you regularly buy more bread than you use, divide a fresh loaf into practical portions and freeze the extra while it is still fresh. That gives future-you a small head start.
Prefer to bake your own? Browse the bread and baking recipes. Or take a very serious Bread Break.
The Brood table
How did yours turn out?
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