How to Use Saltines to Make Italian Bread Crumbs

Italian breadcrumbs are used to coat everything from chicken and veal to gnocchi pasta.

Italian breadcrumbs are used in recipes that call for coating food, such as chicken, veal and fish before cooking them. The breadcrumbs add a crunchy texture and golden brown hue when cooked, while the Italian seasonings add flavor and zest to any dish. At times when you do not have traditional bread crumbs to make Italian bread crumbs, saltine crackers will do well as a substitute.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups of saltine crackers
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of parsley, chopped
• Food processor
• Bowl
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Place the saltines into a food processor. Grind them into a coarse powder with small chunks, with about four coarse spins.

2. Pour the ground saltine crackers into a small bowl.

3. Add the minced garlic into the saltines, and gently knead them together. The garlic will allow the saltines to join together in small clumps.

4. Add the Romano or Parmesan cheese into the mix and stir gently to combine the ingredients. Try to evenly distribute the cheese into the crumbs to add salt and flavor to every piece.

5. Add the parsley to the mix and stir to combine with the crumbs. Use your finished Italian breadcrumbs to coat your main dish.

Tips & Warnings

• Store your unused Italian breadcrumbs in a plastic resealable bag in the refrigerator.

• Do not add the parsley to the breadcrumbs until you are about to use them. Otherwise the crumbs will not look or taste as good.

References

• Easyway Gourmet with Kris Capra: Easyway Italian Breadcrumbs