Friday, May 7, 2010

Use It or lose It: French Toast Casserole

If you're like me, you have bread in your freezer. I save it all—those big crusty loaf ends, shamefully old hot dog and hamburger buns, sub rolls, and dinner rolls. Until recently, I only used that leftover bread for croutons or bread crumbs.

But oh, I have a new trick up my sleeve now: French Toast Casserole. It's recipe number three of the Use It or Lose It series.

Start with whatever bread you have. Stale or aged-in-the-freezer pieces are perfect for this recipe. Tear it up into small pieces and cover the bottom of your baking dish with it.

In a In a large bowl, whisk together 7-8 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a dash of salt and pepper. Pour over the bread pieces and distribute evenly in the pan.

Next sprinkle 1 cup of grated cheese (whatever you have will do) over the top. If you're up for it, cook some bacon or crumbled sausage and sprinkle that over the top too. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 40 minutes until the eggs are set. Let cool for a few before serving.

So good served with a little maple syrup.

This is a great brunch dish, or a super simple recipe if you're feeding a large group for breakfast.

If eggs aren't your thing, there are plenty of good uses for the bread you have hanging around. I had no idea just how many recipes included old bread, and was pleasantly surprised when I googled "uses for leftover bread." Here's a whole list.

6 comments:

  1. Why is it that the term "use it or lose it" makes me giggle?! : ) Thank you for sharing these recipes mama!

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  2. This reminds me of a Swedish recipe for leftover bread called Fattiga Riddare or in translation "Poor Knights". I think it's referred to as French Toast in the US?

    Oh, another use I recently found for leftover bread is to make your own croutons!

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  3. I too save it all in the freezer. hehe And i make french tost out of them as well! So wonderful to know that i am not alone! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us! I will need to try this out. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

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  4. That is fantastic - I save all my bread in the freezer and then more often than not dig it out two years later and give it to the birds and the chickens! Their loss is our gain! LOL

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  5. i've been meaning to come back here and tell you what a revelation this was for our old pancakes! we made a savory casserole with leftover kale and rice and eggs, and a sweet cinnamony one too! thanks for inspiring me! i hope we have leftover pancakes again soon!

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