Our Daily Bread

SAVE food hub often receives bread from local stores and FareShare.

There’s a huge variety from the standard white sliced through to bloomers, wholemeal loaves, seeded rolls, olive bread, paninis, croissants, finger rolls, burger rolls etc. For many bread is a daily part of the diet: toast and marmalade for breakfast, a sandwich or filled baguette for lunch, bread and butter pudding for tea amongst a host of favourites which include bread somewhere.

It has been a staple in people’s diets across the centuries and across cultures. In its simplest form it is made from a dough of flour and water (flat breads). Usually, but not always, it is leavened either by yeasts which are present in the air (sourdough) or by adding yeast before proving the dough.

Unfortunately a lot of supermarket bread is industrially produced and may be fluffed up using high-pressure aeration rather than by yeast.

So what is “daily bread”? This phrase has come to mean more than just physical bread. It means whatever we need to ensure we have the food, clothes, and other basic needs to keep us healthy and safe.

A treasure trove of phrases have found their way into our language based on bread, for example -

• “The best thing since sliced bread”

• “Earn a crust”

• “Man does not live by bread alone.”

• “Upper crust”

• “Break bread with someone”

• “Know what side your bread is buttered”

• “Raking in the dough”

• “Use your loaf”

And pessimists will always expect their bread to land buttered side down!

Bread freezes well so you do not have to use a whole fresh loaf quickly. It is worth freezing it in batches of a couple of slices so you just defrost what you need for a quick lunch or snack. Breadcrumbs are always useful as a topping for savoury dishes and are easily made from stale bread. Croutons, made from toasted or fried bread, make a crunchy topping for soups and salads. Don’t forget bread sauce and sage and onion stuffing with your Christmas feast!

So make the most of your loaf!