Hints from Heloise

Dear Readers: Don’t throw out that stale French bread. It is still good for eating. Most French bread, if not eaten the day it’s baked, will be hard as a rock the next day. But you can turn it into something wonderfully edible. Here’s how:

• Slice it, then bake it until it’s brown and hard. Sprinkle the slices with some yummy grated cheese and let the cheese melt for a few minutes in the oven. I like to float the crispy, cheesy bread in a bowl of soup.

• You can make croutons for salad, soups or snacks by baking French-bread cubes in a 275-degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy.

• For a quick breakfast or light supper, cut stale bread into cubes, mix with beaten eggs and fry in a small amount of butter, margarine or vegetable oil, as you would French toast. Serve with syrup. This is easy for little ones to eat – no cutting needed. – Heloise