Only some stale bread, but it became a feast.

The horrors of the past- we have all heard about them. Parents who had to walk 16 miles uphill each way to get back and forth to school, children being smacked with rulers in the name of corporal punishment while in school and lunches featuring a boiled egg and little else. Grandparents being so poor they ate flour soup or only ate meat once a week. I think parents pass these tales of horror on in an attempt to make their offspring appreciate all of the sacrifices made for them and the world of privilege they now live in.  Sad thing is that in painting this sort of picture they set up an instant aversion to anything from the past. Rotary dial phones, being able to see a television program only at the time the network aired it, fans with blades that could actually cut your fingers off and creative uses for what is usually tossed in the trash today-bones, veggie trimmings and stale bread- all become very bad things.

The first two items can be used to make a bone broth that is delicious, nutritious and the base for many a tasty recipe.The third could be used as croutons, breadcrumbs or a brilliant , tasty side dish called Panzanella Salad. It's what Italian Grandmas used to do with bread that had become too stale. Never ever waste good , real bread. Elves will visit you in the middle of the night , wipe out the phone book on your cell phone  and hide all of your pens. The horror !

So in order to avoid tragedy and annoyance, let's turn this

into this:

It's a snap !


Panzanella
Stale bread – 4-6 slices – cubed OR 3-4 stale rolls
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 ripe tomatoes – roughly chopped- OR 1 pt grape tomatoes, halved
pinch pepper
6-8 fresh basil leaves – roughly torn
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

 Into a medium sized serving bowl add bread.

 Drizzle the red wine vinegar over bread. Season with pepper. Add tomatoes, basil. Drizzle olive oil on top.
 Toss with two forks to combine. Allow to sit and marinate prior to serving.

 Taste ? Really flavorful ! If you enjoy bruchetta or salad with croutons, you will like this one. It makes for a fast, no cook side for those days when you fire up the grill or need  a little something to round out a meal. Italian Grandmas are never wrong. And that flour soup ? What they didn't tell you it was broth thickened with a roux and combined with whatever veggies or meat they had. The original cream of whatnot soup, and yummy comfort food . Without the modified food starch, "natural" flavors, thickening agents and hydrogenated fats.