what are soft bread crumbs?

[Blackdog Lin]

CathyA has graciously given me a recipe I'd like to try. It calls for soft bread crumbs, which term I don't completely understand, and I think it might be important to the recipe to get it right. I don't have a food processor - well I do, but it's from the stone age, and I only get it out for huge canning jobs.

Fresh bread, or dry it out first, how to cut it? Cathy or anyone else, any advice? I'm wondering if I need to lay out bread today to dry before making the casserole tomorrow.

[Gregg]

Not sure what you're making so can only guess, but I know there are lots of dishes that have bread as an ingredient where it is mostly used to thicken or give body to them. Sauces, egg dishes, things like that come to mind. Anyway, if that is what the soft bread crumbs are for it makes sense to cut bread in smaller pieces so it soaks up liquid quickly and breaks down more completely. I always cut bread with a serrated knife. Its not real fast, but works just fine.

[CathyA]

Hi Blackdog Lin, I think it would probably still work if you just cut up/crumbled the bread as much as possible (by hand/knife). Gregg is right......it gives the dish some body. The last time I made it, I toasted some previously frozen buns and I think it thickened it up even more, since toasted bread can absorb more of any of the liquid that might come out of the green tomatoes. I think the recipe is pretty forgiving, as far as the bread is concerned.
Let me know how it goes!

[herbgeek]

soft bread crumbs = fresh bread not toasted.

[puglogic]

If the bread is very soft, what's the best way to turn it into crumbs? I've tried it in the food processor and sometimes it just gums up.

[Gregg]

If the bread is very soft, what's the best way to turn it into crumbs? I've tried it in the food processor and sometimes it just gums up.

A serrated knife. I think for most recipes you can put really fresh bread in the toaster on the very lightest setting and maybe even pull it out before that is done and be just fine. That would dry it out just enough to make it easy to cut.

[morning girl]

To make the soft bread crumbs use the pulse button if your blender or food processor has one.

[CathyA]

Blackdog Lin's question was how to make them without using a food processor.
herbgeek........I toasted them enough to make them less soft, since they'd thawed after being in the freezer.
Actually, it turned out better than when I didn't toast things.

[peggy]

In the future you might want to investigate one of those little 1 cup choppers. I have one and it's great for things like this, or chopping some nuts, or other times when I just want a little something chopped. I rarely use my big processor as it's a hassle to drag out and then clean.

[peggy]

also, if it's a firm type bread, like french bread, a cheese grater works fine.

[Blackdog Lin]

Thanks y'all. It was what puglogic said above that I couldn't get my brain around: if using soft bread, doesn't it just gum up in a food processor? So I couldn't figure out what texture I should be trying for.

I have 6 or so slices of Panera sourdough that are past their prime, but still good. Think I'll just set them out for an hour or two tomorrow and then tear 'em up. Thanks CathyA, for the advice that the recipe is "forgiving".

[CathyA]

I sure hope you like it, after all this! I guess we're not real particular sometimes with food here at our house, so I hope it doesn't make you gag! haha I've used up all my dozens of green tomatoes on it. Its really just tomatoes, breadcrumbs and cheese. Hope you like it! (But don't be afraid to say you hated it). :)

[Stacy]

I've always just rubbed a slice of bread between my fingers and let the crumbs fall.

[Blackdog Lin]

Stacy - ALLRIGHT. I think you've hit on what my brain couldn't get around vis a vis soft bread crumbs. What you said is what I will do in the future when a recipe calls for them.

Thanks!

[Blackdog Lin]

CathyA: made the casserole last night. I thought it was quite good, along with being a great way to use up those tomatoes. But alas DH didn't agree. Guess it won't be a keeper for me.

Thanks again anyway!