Tuesday, August 13, 2019

A Loaf Can Feed the Hungry

Bread can be a great filler, when it comes to having a small amount of food to stretch.  It is very filling and very versatile.
If you have ever been in a Walmart, I am sure you have seen the clearance bakery section.  In my area you can always find a loaf of Italian, French or Baguettes for about .67 on clearance (or less).  Kroger generally has the same for a $1 or so. (It's hard to make homemade for these prices)

There are so many options for these types of breads.  No joking, with a few ingredients that you may have in your pantry or frig, you can feed 1 or 2 people many filling meals and perhaps a family a hearty meal for just pennies.
Here are a few options to feed yourself or your family with a loaf of bread and few items or leftovers that you may have on hand.  No need to be hungry!

Halve lengthwise and make bread pizza (one of my favorite pizzas)
Thickly slice and make each slice into an individual type pizza (top with what you have)
Bruschetta
Garlic bread to serve with any type of food
French toast
Grind into breads crumbs that can be used for coating, in meatballs or meatloaf as an extender or in any type of ground meat to extend
Cut up and make into croutons - for salads or top off soup or a casserole
Dressing/stuffing
French dip sandwiches
Any type of hearty grilled sandwich - just cheese or meat and cheese
Any type of sturdy sandwich - filled with absolutely anything you have (think outside the box),  Tomato/cucumber sandwiches are a summer favorite here - also try a fried green tomato sandwich! - Super filling.
Open face sammies - top with leftover meat, mac n cheese, leftover soup beans, baked beans, chili, mashed potatoes/gravy, stew, leftover veggies, anything you have
Use with fondue
Dip in olive oil and herbs
Open faced broiler sammies - with anything you have - top with a bit of cheese
Mix chunks into a breakfast casserole with eggs to extend into many servings
Cut thinly and toast - cinnamon /sugar toast, pbj, jelly, etc.
Toast and serve with hummus, dip, refried beans, cheese spread
Homemade subway sandwiches
Smother slices in gravy
Cover with cream cheese and top with any fruit or favorite topping
Use in French onion soup
Make a summery bread salad - toasted chunks of bread, tomato, cukes, squash, peppers, cheese, dressing - whatever you have
Make into a Panini type sandwich
Bread pudding - hearty or sweet

A loaf of bread can extend any food - sweet, hearty, savory, soup, breakfast, casserole, you name it!  Italian, French and Baguettes are all very sturdy breads and stand up to all kinds of ingredients.  Actually any type of bread can be used - whatever you have.
You can use for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks.
  
You can extend a meal into many for just a few cents.  Get creative and always think outside the 'normal' box!
Remember - a meal doesn't HAVE to be many courses.  A meal is whatever fills you up!!!!

20 comments:

  1. I truly enjoy sandwiches and definitely find them more filling than a salad. I could never go Keto for that very reason!

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  2. Such good advice! I love bread, and you have given some great examples.
    I have made bruschetta and panzanella this week so I could use my garden tomatoes. So good!

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    1. YUM. Anything that uses fresh tomatoes is great. I love bread. Hope you find a few you could use.

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  3. My friend whom I take a meal to every week, tried to feed her father who has Alzheimer a sandwich and he wanted a meal. So she cut the sandwich up with a knife and fork and pushed it into three sections and handed him a fork, while telling him it was vegetable, meat and bread. He ate it! I had to laugh as this would also work for my mom when she wanted a full blown meal every night.

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    1. Funny - but so sad. Anything is a meal for me. If it fills me up and it tastes good - then it's a meal!

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  4. I friend of mine takes the garlic loaves from Walmart, halves lengthwise and smooshes down the inside. Then she fills it with spaghetti in meat sauce, tops with shredded mozzarella, and then tops with the other half, wrap in foil and bake until hot. Brush top with butter if you want and serve sliced.

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    1. Oh my goodness that sounds so good! Simple and easy and YUM! Thanks for that ideas!

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  5. My favourite is toast, poached egg and tinned tomtoes. I make my own bread but late in the evening it is possible to get a loaf for 10pence.

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    1. I meant to mention eggs. I am not a poached (or runny) egg kind of person - but I know lots of people would love that. I bet you homemade bread tastes wonderful.

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  6. Our first garden tomato of the year is always reserved for BLTs. I use cucumber on mine, rather than lettuce, as I like the crunch. We usually have tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce all in the garden so relatively inexpensive meal. If I happen to have an avocado, I like to add that too.

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    1. Mmmm BLT. Probably one of my favorite sandwiches ever. Something about that taste combination. I like anything with a tomato with it!

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    2. How could I forget BLTs - on my menu this week. Thanks, Nancy! BTW I grew up in Eastern WA and moved to the PNW 60 years ago.

      Cheryl, I'm loving these ideas Thanks for all you do for us! I'm eating up food from the fridge and you've given me great ideas - again.

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    3. Shirley you are very welcome. I am glad you have found a few new ideas. I always get in a rut so it is nice to have new options.

      I think it is cool when you find other ladies in your area.

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  7. Yummy, bread pudding! Thank you for the reminders of some great ideas for bread.
    Dh has had a few tomato sandwiches the last couple of days. His favorite!

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    1. You are welcome. Love tomato sandwiches.
      So many uses we tend to forget about.

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  8. We've been eating tomato sandwiches and boy what a treat. I have been making our own bread lately but I love it when we can get bread discounted on the clearance rack.

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    1. We have to take advantage of those fresh tomatoes don't we? Mmmmmmm.
      I love homemade bread. Haven't made any in years.

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  9. These are great ideas! I may have to start checking out the clearance bread again.

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    1. It sure can make a cheap meal or meal extender! Freezes well too.

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