Artisan Bread Uses

Artisan bread does not refer to a specific type of bread but rather to how the bread is made. Any bread that is custom-made by hand, from preparing the dough to shaping the loaf, is known as artisan bread. Artisan breads do not contain preservatives, so once you buy them, you have a limited time window (about two days) to consume them. Artisan bread's hearty texture allows for a variety of culinary uses.

Crostini

Crostini is an appetizer consisting of thin slices of artisan bread that are drizzled with olive oil and baked until crispy, then topped with a variety of ingredients. This dish is typically served as finger food for parties and can be made into savory or sweet versions. Common toppings for crostini include chopped tomatoes, olives, cheese or even chocolate spreads. Artisan breads are more useful for crostini than softer, preservative-filled breads because they have a firm, crunchy texture that prevents the bread from becoming soggy under the toppings.

Pudding

Bread pudding is a dessert that tops slices or cubes of bread with a mixture of eggs, milk and sugar. It can be further flavored by stirring in raisins, chocolate chips or other sweet ingredients. Bread pudding is traditionally a peasant food because it relies on day-old bread that is not moldy but is not quite soft enough to eat alone. Any artisan bread that is not eaten immediately while it is still fresh can be used to make bread pudding. The slight staleness works well for the dish because the bread absorbs the liquid mixture without becoming too soft.

Panzanella

Artisan bread has traditionally been used for panzanella in Italian cuisine, particularly in the Italian region of Tuscany. Panzanella is basically a salad that incorporates large chunks of crispy bread, along with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or other hearty vegetables. The bread chunks absorb the juice and flavors from the vegetables to give the bread a distinct taste. Artisan bread is particularly useful for panzanella because it will hold its shape and be slightly crispy, even when combined with the other ingredients.

Croutons

Although croutons can be bought commercially, they can also be homemade using artisan bread. Making homemade croutons with mass-produced bread will not generally produce a desirable result because the preservatives keep the bread soft and prevent it from crisping up as effectively as artisan bread. Homemade croutons consist of cubes of artisan bread that are tossed with olive oil, minced garlic or other seasonings, then baked or toasted in a skillet until they become crispy. They can then be used for salads, soups or casserole toppings.

References

• Artisan Baker Association
• Fine Cooking magazine