How to Make Bread Crumbs

Almost any type of bread can be used to make bread crumbs.

The ideal bread for making bread crumbs is approximately 2-4 days old and is slightly dried out. Avoid using overly stale bread as this will have a negative impact on the flavor of your dish.

*To make fresh bread crumbs*, simply tear or cube up the bread (leaving the crust on or off as desired) and pulse in a food processor until you achieve the preferred crumb size. Do not attempt to use fresh bread to make fresh bread crumbs. Bread that is too fresh will produce gummy crumbs that stick together too much.

*To make dry bread crumbs*, simply tear, cube or pulse the day-old bread (leaving the crust on or off as desired) in a food processor before lightly toasting it in a warm oven. Once dried/toasted, the crumbs can be further processed in a food processor and even passed through a sieve to achieve a very fine consistency.

Store bread crumbs in a tightly-sealed container or freezer bag in a cool, dry place. To prolong the shelf-life, bread crumbs can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. For additional flavor, dried herbs, spices and grated cheese can be combined with the crumbs prior to cooking.

Sample recipe: "Italian Bread Crumbs":http://rouxbe.com/recipes/1499-italian-bread-crumbs/text.