Allotments 4 All

Produce => Recipes => Topic started by: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 10:03:32

Title: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 10:03:32
How do you make breadcrumbs without a processor?

Please bear with me...I'm a rubbish cook through lack of interest but I'm trying to change my wicked ways. I'm embarrassed to be asking this question as well  :-[  :-[
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 07, 2006, 10:07:28
http://www.turkeyhelp.com/breadcrumbs.htm
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Doris_Pinks on April 07, 2006, 10:08:21
Heldi, If I am not trying to make too many, I rub the stale bread on the coarse part of my grater!   Hope this helps!! DP
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Doris_Pinks on April 07, 2006, 10:08:58
You beat me to it Tim! ;D
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Curryandchips on April 07, 2006, 10:32:19
In our house, the bread always seems to get 'left' out, hence there is a never ending supply of dry ends.

Heldi, there is obviously hope for you yet, because most people would just nip to the supermarket and buy a packet of breadcrumbs, so good on ya girl !

PS, a processor is definitely worth getting ...
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 10:54:23
Thankyou Tim, DP and Curry  ;D.  What a dummy I am eh!  ;D

Processor  on my list Curry!  Not sure what I want/need yet. Have recently given up meat and need to learn to cook more "interestingly" so as not become bored.
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: DenBee on April 07, 2006, 11:02:31
I use an electric handblender, which comes in useful for many a thing.  :)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Curryandchips on April 07, 2006, 11:04:44
I agree on the handblender DenBee, it gets more use than our processor.

Eggs are still in your diet though Heldi ?
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 11:21:58
Oh I've got one of those Denbee...can you tell I'm not a natural cook haha! It wouldn't have occurred to me to use it.

Yes Curry I still eat eggs and fish. I am hoping to try different types of fish.Be more adventurous and maybe begin to enjoy cooking instead of finding it a chore. Don't eat any other sea food...OH has tried to get me to eat prawns but I don't do bugs!!  I HAVE to eat eggs,we get a dozen a day!
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: DenBee on April 07, 2006, 11:38:58
I used to be quite a good cook.  My mum was a good teacher.

I got a lot lazier as my own family grew.  But part of the whole 'growing your own thing' for me now is also going to be 'cooking your own', so I'm determined to reacquaint myself with some long-rusty skills, and teach my children the way my mum taught me, while they are still keen to learn.  :)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Curryandchips on April 07, 2006, 11:58:29
There you go, fresh fish, dipped in egg and fresh breadcrumbs - assuming the North Sea still does fish ...  ;)

Gorgeous with aioli, made with homegrown garlic ...  :P
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 07, 2006, 12:03:58
Nothing to do with breadcrumbs, but SO glad you're not into prawns, Helen - BAD news ecologically!
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: aquilegia on April 07, 2006, 12:18:17
If the bread isn't quite totally stale, put it in the oven for a little while to totally dry out. You can then put it in a strong plastic bag on the bread board and bash it with a rolling pin. (also good for stress relief!)

When the bread is totally stale you can store crumbs in clean jars for months and months.
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 13:52:55
My mum was an excellent cook Denbee but she wasn't a good teacher and I wasn't a good pupil.  I wish it had been different.It's the interest in cooking I want to stir up within me,especially now attempting to grow my own veg. I love eating  :D and I used to bake, I seem to have lost my way though.

Curry that sounds ,in the word of Ray Mears "delicious"  There is fresh fish available everyday in my town,straight off the boat and into the shop on the harbour.  I don't eat much seefood so most of what is on offer is lost on me.


Tim I'm pleased I'm doing something right with regards to prawns!  I also avoid cod...do I get some more brownie points?

aqui...thankyou,more top tips!  I'm so glad I asked now.  :)  :)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 07, 2006, 15:38:30
Points - yes!
Wish I could be at the harbour with you - nothing like the real stuff.
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: derbex on April 07, 2006, 18:23:15
Breadcrumbs freeze wekk (well -ed), I generally do a loaf at a time. Also look out for reduced (unsliced)  bread in the supermarket -it's stale bread you want afterall :)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 07, 2006, 18:32:05
Good point about freezing - we always have some there.
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: supersprout on April 07, 2006, 19:06:14
Quote from: Heldi on April 07, 2006, 10:03:32
How do you make breadcrumbs without a processor?

My mum's methods! First is like acqui's.

For dry breadcrumbs (coating):

Take a plastic bag and/or teatowel, and securely fold and wrap your dry bread in it.
Take your rolling pin or a stout heavy pot and whack the parcel until it feels crumby.
Unfold and seive, if you are looking for perfect small crumbs.
Give the rest to the birds.

For moist crumbs (Xmas pud, califlower cheese ;))

Tear out the middle from a stale white loaf in small pieces, rubbing lightly and gently between your fingers as you go (like mixing fat into flour for pastry)
Give the rest to the birds.

:D
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Heldi on April 12, 2006, 20:23:56
Thanks Derbex and Supersprout.  I really am pleased I asked.  The reduced bread in the supermarket is a great idea.

Cauliflower cheese,here I come!!!
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: rosebud on April 12, 2006, 22:21:47
Heldi make yourself some nice fresh fishcakes, egg ,breadcrumbs, used up. ;D
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 13, 2006, 08:55:17
I think that they also used to rub 2 pieces of loaf together didn't they, Sprout?

PS Wholemeal for flavour?
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: supersprout on April 13, 2006, 09:10:32
Oh yes tim, so 'doesn't have two crusts of bread to rub together' would mean too poor to even make breadcrumbs?
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 13, 2006, 09:35:34
Indeed!
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Obelixx on April 20, 2006, 11:43:38
Please explain why prawns are ecologically bad.

Don't often eat them - prefer North Sea brown shrimps - but am curious.  Is it air miles, over fishing??
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: supersprout on April 20, 2006, 11:53:43
No.1 son is the family expert on this. In his absence, I seem to remember:

Unfarmed prawns are low in the food chain, and over-fishing compromises sea creatures further up the food chain who rely on them. The technique of fishing for prawns trawls the seabed and there is a large amount of by-catch - up to 20 times the weight of the prawns.

Because prawns are a very profitable crop, marginal coastline habitats are destroyed to make offshore prawn farms. Few prawn farms are organic, so there is concern for chemicals in the prawns, and leaching into the sea. There's also concern for worker welfare, and child labour is used in the prawn industry. Few prawn farms are locally owned, most belong to multinational companies. So the money you pay has limited benefit locally.

Air miles - because air fuel is heavily subsidised, the price we pay doesn't compensate for the ecological impact of transport

Sorry to be vague, No.1 son would give chapter and verse, but he's away for a couple of weeks. He's not at all fussy about food, but will never eat prawns, hasn't done so since he was in sixth form. This is a really good link for an 'ethical guide' to prawns and other fish:

http://shopping.guardian.co.uk/ethicalshopping/story/0,11951,899658,00.html

Morecambe Bay shrimps for me every time too, when I can get them ;D
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 20, 2006, 12:10:13
Well said, Sprout - read our No1 son's book on it!!

And don't forget that the 20% 'wild' prawns' from Mozambique etc- for export -  are fished at the expense of  80% 'real' fish for the local population.

And yet, given all this knowledge, we are the biggest consumers in the world?
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: supersprout on April 20, 2006, 12:26:52
Can you give a link to No.1 son's book tim? :)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: tim on April 20, 2006, 13:00:24
Slight exaggeration - not 'a book' but 'part of a book!
I'll PM it - or I'll be accused of advertising!
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: supersprout on April 20, 2006, 15:19:59
Thank you tim :) ;)
Title: Re: Breadcrumbs
Post by: Obelixx on April 20, 2006, 15:25:47
Thank you.  I'll stick to my tasty shrimps.