10 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Do With Ciabatta Bread
What To Know
- If your ciabatta bread has gotten too soft after thawing, you can put it in a warm oven for a few minutes to crisp it up a bit.
- You can also toast a few slices of ciabatta, spread them with peanut butter or honey, add a sliced banana and a few chocolate chips, and you have got yourself a nice healthy dessert.
- In addition, you can make a sandwich with it, top it with pizza sauce and cheese, or use it to make a panini.
Chances are you’re wondering what to do with ciabatta bread if you have an Italian cousin who brings some ciabatta bread. In this article, we will be taking a look at a few of the things that you can do with ciabatta.
What to do with ciabatta bread?
Ciabatta bread is a delicious, chewy bread that’s perfect for any meal. But what do you do with it when you’re not eating it? Here are some ideas:
- 1. Make croutons: Cut the bread into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
- 2. Make garlic bread: Spread some butter on the bread and then top with minced garlic and shredded cheese. Put it under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- 3. Make bread pudding: Tear the bread into pieces and soak in a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Bake in a baking dish until set.
- 4. Make a panini: Grill the bread on both sides and then fill with your favorite sandwich ingredients.
- 5. Make crostini: Slice the bread thinly and brush with olive oil. Toast in the oven and then top with your favorite toppings.
- 6. Make crumbs: Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor until it forms crumbs. Use them to top salads or casseroles, or use them as a breading for chicken or fish.
- 7. Make breadcrumbs: Tear the bread into pieces and dry in the oven at a low temperature until completely dry. Then process in a food processor until it forms crumbs. Use them just like you would regular breadcrumbs.
- 8. Make stuffing: Tear the bread into pieces and soak in a mixture of chicken broth, eggs, and seasonings. Bake in a casserole dish until set.
- 9. Make French toast: Slice the bread thinly and soak in a mixture of eggs, milk, and vanilla. Fry in a lightly oiled pan until golden brown. Serve with syrup or fruit.
- 10. Make a bread bowl: Cut a hole in the top of the bread and then scoop out the inside, leaving a thick crust. Fill with soup, chili, or stew.
Can I freeze ciabatta bread?
Yes, you can freeze ciabatta bread! Ciabatta bread freezes well, and it’s also a good choice for freezing because it doesn’t tend to get dried out when thawed. If your ciabatta bread has gotten too soft after thawing, you can put it in a warm oven for a few minutes to crisp it up a bit.
Frozen ciabatta bread usually lasts for about two months, although it could last longer if you freeze it securely. If you need to thaw frozen ciabatta bread, just leave it in the fridge overnight.
Can ciabatta bread be used for seafood?
Yes, it definitely can. Your ciabatta bread can be used as an ideal ingredient for seafood or for any type of meat and vegetable curry. The bread is soft and you can even use it to make seafood sandwiches.
Ciabatta is the perfect bread for curries because it has a sturdier texture than other breads and a chewy center.
The bread has an absorbent texture that is perfect for soaking up the flavors of the spices, sauce, and seafood.
What are some good uses for leftover ciabatta bread?
Ciabatta bread is often left at the bottom of your loaf. What you want to do with it is use it in some tasty dish that you still have left over. Here are a few ideas for you.
You can use the last piece of ciabatta in your sandwich. A tasty ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and onion would work well with a few slices of ciabatta. You can also toast a few slices of ciabatta, spread them with peanut butter or honey, add a sliced banana and a few chocolate chips, and you have got yourself a nice healthy dessert.
How do I store ciabatta bread?
Ciabatta bread is great for making toast or grilling. In addition, you can make a sandwich with it, top it with pizza sauce and cheese, or use it to make a panini. If you plan to freeze bread, you should wrap the individual slices or rolls in parchment paper before putting them in the freezer. This will ensure that they don’t stick together or absorb moisture when stored.
You should also cut the wrapped bread into squares and freeze them in bags. Then you can simply remove what you need on that particular day without having to thaw it first.
Final thoughts
All things considered, there are quite a few things that can be done with ciabatta bread. A popular option is to serve the bread with pasta or soup. However, bread can also be used to make garlic bread, croutons, or bruschetta. Make ciabatta a part of your meal; you will not be disappointed.
