My father in law “Gino” always made his homemade Italian breadcrumbs making sure no bread goes to waste. Here’s the old school way to make Italian breadcrumbs, I use the food processor, Gino always used his cast iron hand grinder. So simple to make and knowing there’s wholesome ingredients being used in making it is a plus. If you take the time to look at store bought breadcrumbs you would be in shock with the ingredients list. So save your bread ends and pieces and take that stale bread and make your own. You should have all the spices and herbs in the pantry but if not improvise and pick a herb or spice you have that moves your palate. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
8-10 cups Stale bread, I use any sweet, sour, french bread, you can use whatever you want.
1 teaspoon Sea salt
2 teaspoons Garlic powder
1 Tablespoon Parsley flakes, dried
1 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
1 Tablespoon Basil, dried
1 1/2 teaspoon Oregano, dried
Directions:
Take stale bread and break up into pieces, place in a brown bag for two days or until completely dry and crumbly. You can dry in the oven if your in a hurry. Place in low temperature oven 300’ tossing every 5 minutes until dry, you don’t want to char or over brown, this will result in changing the flavor of the bread, completely cool before pulsing in food processor.
In Food processor add bread and pulse 6-10 times.
Add all herbs and spices to the coarse breadcrumbs, pulse until fine. Do not over pulse this will turn bread into sticky paste.
Store in airtight container or ziplock bag.
Breadcrumbs can be placed in freezer up to 1 year.