I used the last of my store-bought bread crumbs the other day and as I was contemplating either keeping the can (I know I could use it for something!) or throwing it away (I have enough stuff!) I glanced at the list of ingredients. Ack!
The main ingredients were: Enriched flour, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, water, salt.
The crumbs also contained less than 2% or less of brown sugar, honey, molasses, sugar, wheat gluten, whey, soy flour, whole wheat flour, rye flour, corn flour, oat bran, corn meal, rice flour, potato flour, butter, dough conditioners, yeast nutrients, distilled vinegar, skim milk, buttermilk, lactic acid, calcium proponate, potassium sorbate, romano cheese, spices, onion, garlic, celery, paprika, parsley, oregano, black pepper, basil, fennel.
Wal-Mart has a rack of their day-old bakery breads at a reduced price and I usually get a baguette or a loaf of bread. I don't worry about it being fresh, because I intend to use it for garlic bread or bread pudding... things that don't require fresh bread. I've had a half of a baguette on the counter for a few weeks now and it was dry as a dead dingo's donger.
This really doesn't require a recipe as you can include seasonings and herbs that you like and omit the ones you don't. Everything goes into the food processor. Whirl until the crumbs are as you like them... coarse or fine.
My bread crumbs were made from: half of a dry baguette, fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh rosemary, black pepper, salt, cumin, cayenne, paprika, granulated garlic, red pepper flakes. Notice the simplicity compared to the list of ingredients on the store-bought can! This made about one cup of crumbs and was so easy! I store these in the freezer so they stay fresh.
I'll never buy canned bread crumbs again!
Great! I will have to give this a try soon! Nothing says it like homemade!
ReplyDeleteso true, karen. i haven't bought breadcrumbs the past couple years. never used red pepper flakes, that's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI vote for your version of bread crumbs. Why don't we do this stuff more often, it doesn't take much effort and it is so much better for us. But I am the queen of lazy sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI just happened upon your blog. Love It!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I should start doing that, and especially after reading that list of ingredients. Good Grief.
ReplyDeleteI love homemade breadcrumbs.Love the addition of cumin.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteCanned bread crumbs so often have a stale taste to them, also. You never really know how long they've been sitting there on the shelf. Yuck.
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know - I've answered your excellent questions over at The Talkback Button, my work blog.
http://thetalkbackbutton.blogspot.com/2010/05/very-good-question.html
Not to mention SOOOOO much better for you than all that processed "food" crap. Hey I bet you can store them in the can you freed up! :-)
ReplyDeleteOnce in a while I make bread crumbs too-they are sooooo much better than those from a store. I don't know why I don't do it all the time.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love it when you learn to make something that tastes better than store bought! Dead as a dingo's donger??!!! ROTFL! Now, if only I could learn to make Japanese Panko Crumbs...they are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI've made homemade breadcrumbs before but never thought to add herbs. Thanks for the tip! Except for panko, I'm done with the canned stuff, too. 8-)
ReplyDeleteHomemade breadcrumbs are great! I like the spices you put in!
ReplyDeleteThey look very edible. I sometimes wonder what is "in the box". Just a few moments and you are done. How easy.
ReplyDeleteWow never realized there was that much garbage in the bread crumb can! I've saved those cans before myself and filled them with homemade bread crumbs. I store them in the freezer since there are no preservatives. :)
ReplyDeleteVery smart, Karen. Reading labels is an eye opener, all that nasty stuff that is added to our food is scary. And this is the perfect way to use up leftover bread.
ReplyDeleteYour homemade breadcrumbs sound SO MUCH tastier than the storebought ones. After hearing those ingredients mine might to go in the garbage. Yours just sound too good!
ReplyDeletehahahha.....I can't get past the dead dingo's donger! .... but, yeh.... I make crumbs too...much better. Love using herbs and even a bit of parmesan once in a while..
ReplyDeleteI also use some herbs and peppers in crushed cracker crumbs sometimes for crumbing a cutlet or chicken pieces... pretty tasty...