No more dry bread: simple tricks to revive stale baguettes and bring back that freshly baked taste
We, bread lovers, have all experienced that little everyday drama: the warm, crisp, golden baguette bought from the baker in the morning, which becomes as hard as a stick by evening. We look at it with regret, telling ourselves we should have finished it sooner... but we won't throw it away! Bread, especially baguettes, can be brought back to life with a few simple gestures. And the good news is that you can give it a crunchy crust and a soft crumb as if it had just come out of the oven. Just follow the guide!
The water and oven trick
This is the most effective method, used by grandmothers and clever bakers. The principle is simple: add a little moisture to the bread to awaken the crumb and reactivate the crust.
Quickly run the baguette under a trickle of cold water. There's no need to soak it, the idea is just to moisten it slightly. Then place the baguette on the oven rack (not on a baking tray, so that the heat circulates well) at 350°F/180°C for 5 to 10 minutes.
Result: the steam generated by the water will rehydrate the crumb, while the heat will tighten the crust, crisping it to perfection. When you take it out, leave it to cool for 2 or 3 minutes: it'll be as good as new!
Bonus tip: if your baguette is very dry, wrap it in a slightly damp cloth before placing it in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F/150°C. The steam will work gently on the crust.
Beware of the microwave trap
When we're in a hurry, we sometimes think of the microwave... Bad idea! Bread may soften very quickly, but as soon as it cools, it hardens even more than before. This is the classic trap.
The only exception: if you want to eat your bread immediately, you can put it in the microwave for a few seconds, with a small glass of water next to it. The moisture will prevent the bread from drying out too quickly. But be careful, you'll have to eat it straight away, or you'll find yourself back on a rock in just a few minutes!
The toaster for crispy slices
If your baguette is already hard, there's no need to struggle. The secret is to transform it! Cut it into thin slices and pop them in the toaster: you'll get delicious warm, crispy toast.
Perfect for breakfast with butter and jam, they're also delicious in a savoury version: with melting cheese, a little avocado, hummus or tapenade, they're a delight.
And if you like homemade appetizers, toast your slices, rub them with a little garlic and drizzle with olive oil: these are great bruschettas to garnish to your heart's content!
Anti-waste recipes for using dry bread
What if your bread is really too dry to catch? Don't panic! There are a thousand and one ways to recycle it.
Homemade breadcrumbs: mix hard bread in a food processor and store the powder in an airtight jar. Ideal for breading cutlets, gratinating dishes or sprinkling on baked vegetables.
Croutons: cut bread into small cubes, drizzle with olive oil, add a little garlic or herbs and bake at 350°F/180°C for a few minutes. Perfect for soups and salads!
French toast: dip your slices in a mixture of milk + eggs + sugar, brown in a pan... and enjoy with a little fruit or caramel.
Bread pudding: an ancient, economical and delicious recipe! Bread soaked in milk and eggs becomes a soft base for a gourmet dessert.
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Got stale bread in your basket? Don't waste it! It will serve you in our easy and sustainable dessert, bread pudding! With only 5 ingredients, make this recipe easily for an extra creamy result :-) The kind of anti-waste recipe that the whole family...
Ok, you think you know French toast better than anyone. But have you ever done it the French way ? This recipe was originally made to use stale bread ! The greatest way ever to stop food waste !
Verdict: like-new bread in just a few minutes
Hard bread doesn't have to be hard. With a little water, a quick blast in the oven and a few gourmet ideas, you can give it a second life. And above all, you'll be making a smart and economical anti-waste gesture. So, the next time your baguette turns to stone in the evening... don't throw it away, cook it ;)
Adèle Peyches
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