The Advantages of Baking Bread at Home and Creative Ways to Repurpose Leftovers
The surge in home breadmaking is fueled by numerous health and cost-saving advantages. While homemade bread may not have the same longevity as store-bought varieties filled with preservatives, there are plenty of delicious methods to repurpose any leftovers and reduce waste if your family hasn’t devoured it all in one sitting.
#1 Opting for homemade bread is a smart choice for your health.
Switching to homemade bread is a great way to minimize your consumption of unhealthy additives and preservatives. Simply glance at the label on store-bought bread packaging, and you’ll likely be startled by the multitude of unwanted ingredients concealed within. Store-bought loaves often contain 20 to 30 ingredients, whereas homemade bread can be as straightforward as flour, yeast, salt, and water.
#2 Indulge in allergen-free goodness with peace of mind.
Most commercially available gluten-free, dairy-free, and yeast-free breads may still harbor other common allergens like soy. Additionally, these breads are often limited in their usage, typically relegated to being suitable only for toasting. Even when purchasing fresh gluten-free bread from a bakery, unless sourced from a specialized gluten-free baker at a premium price, there’s no guarantee of complete freedom from the risk of cross-contamination.
Creating your own homemade bread from scratch allows you to steer clear of unwanted ingredients that may trigger allergies and intolerances. Furthermore, you can relish sinking your teeth into a delightful, soft, freshly-cut buttered slice or sandwich without the necessity of toasting. Just imagine the bliss!
#3 Enjoy significant savings with every rustic, freshly-cut slice
Premium quality, freshly-baked sourdough and artisanal breads often come with a hefty price tag. However, with your Thermomix, our Fenix Dutch Oven, and a handful of basic ingredients, you can achieve authentic rustic results at a fraction of the cost. By purchasing flour and yeast in bulk, you can further maximize your savings, especially if you bake bread regularly.
To elevate the artisanal charm of your breadmaking endeavors, consider incorporating simple rattan proofing baskets into your home baking arsenal. Not only do they assist in achieving a consistent shape, but they also imprint a delightful ridged pattern on your crusts, imparting your breads with the artisanal finish typically found in specialty bakeries—at a fraction of the cost.
Five creative ways to repurpose your leftover homemade bread:
You may observe that homemade bread tends to become stale more rapidly compared to store-bought bread containing preservatives. However, with the use of our reliable bread box, your homemade bread can retain its freshness for a longer period. Nevertheless, if you find yourself with leftover bread, here are some effortless methods to ensure that none of it goes to waste.
#1 Utilize your leftover bread to create homemade breadcrumbs by tearing it into bite-sized pieces (3-4 cm) and grinding them in your Thermomix until they reach a breadcrumb consistency (10-15 sec/speed 7). Store them in an airtight container for immediate use or freeze them for future use.
#2 Elevate your dishes with homemade pangrattato, a flavored toasted breadcrumb mixture. Sprinkle it over salads, pasta dishes, or roast vegetables for added texture and flavor. Store the pangrattato in an airtight container for up to three days after toasting and cooling. Experiment with our root vegetables with hazelnut pangrattato recipe.
#3 Repurpose any leftover bread, including crusty ends of loaves, baguettes, burger buns, or rolls, to make homemade garlic bread. Spread a generous layer of garlic and herb butter on the cut side of the bread and toast it in the oven until the butter is bubbly and the crust turns golden brown. You can freeze the prepared garlic bread before or after toasting for future use.
#4 Try making bread pastry, a simple yet creative way to reduce food waste and create savory tart and pie cases. With just six basic ingredients, you can prepare bread pastry in just 10 minutes. Explore our bread pastry recipe or experiment with recipes from the Less Waste, More Food cookbook, such as roast beef and rhubarb chutney pies.
#5 Refresh day-old bread by spritzing it with cold water and placing it in a preheated oven at 120°C for five minutes. This quick method will help revive the texture of your bread, making it suitable for consumption.
