have stale bread? make bread soup!

I love simple meals and this is one of the simplest. A few days before the holidays struck, I realized that I had a half loaf of some very delicious olive & rosemary sourdough in the fridge. Unfortunately, I had let it get stale and hard. Completely my bad. I hate letting things go to waste, but instead of making bread crumbs or croutons with it, I decided to try my hand at making bread soup. It turned out wonderfully and a friend who had unexpectedly stopped by happily ate 2 bowls of it. It’s hearty and it definitely warms the bones and with all of this crazy snow and cold weather that we Vancouverites have had to put up with this winter, it definitely hits the spot.

An aside, I will be in Victoria, BC for a couple of days this week, so please send me your list of favorite restaurants and fun things to do in that city. Gimme your best tips!

37 comments to “have stale bread? make bread soup!”

  1. 1
    VeggieGirl   January 4, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Perfect, delicious solution!!

  2. 2
    Tyler   January 4, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    this looks very fresh and simple. yum!

  3. 3
    Niki   January 4, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Best restaurants in Victoria? Hoboy, there are so many: Pagliacci's, Ferris's Oyster Bar, John's Place (for breakfast), Eugene's Greek, and Futaba… Murchie's for tea & scones. Pacific Rim for pizza by the slice. I could go on & on.

  4. 4
    Anonymous   January 4, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    The reef in victoria has a partially different menu from the main st reef… also, go to pig. Best pork ever.
    I usually just eat at the rogers chocolate factory…

  5. 5
    kaitlin   January 4, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Finally the answer for all those bread heels taking over my freezer… looks good!

  6. 6
    Dawn   January 4, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    very simple, yet flavorful indeed.
    we never have stale bread in this carb-aholic household!

  7. 7
    Hayley   January 4, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    So soothing. I could use a bowlful right now. Have a blast in Victoria!

  8. 8
    megan   January 4, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    This looks so unbelievably good right now. I can’t wait to have some stale bread!

  9. 9
    Jena   January 4, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    I love Victoria, but since my MIL moved here (Powell River), we don't get there often. We suggest the Tandoor on Fort St., & Cafe Brio, just a block from the Tandoor, is a great Italian place.

    If you're going up the island at all, let us know–we can make more suggestions. 🙂

  10. 10
    Jena   January 4, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    thanks for the recipe! I feel like I should’ve thought of making soup when we ended up with three bags of leftover rolls from Christmas and a batch that just didn’t turn out (that became french toast sticks). only threw out fewer than a dozen rolls, though–I was pretty impressed.

  11. 11
    Daily Spud   January 4, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    Well, what do you know, I was blogging about some stale bread today myself, only I went a different route, converting it into breadcrumbs and from there into glamorgan sausages and a bangers-and-mash dinner.

    That bread soup would have been another great use for those stale bits, though – it looks like a lovely winter warmer!

  12. 12
    marja   January 4, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    That photo looks great, J. Makes me want to have a bowl. Love your photography 🙂 And food photography is one of the hardest things to do they say.
    Love – MIL

  13. 13
    Jabba   January 4, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    I also recommend Pagliacci’s and if you’re in the mood for a good pub try The Bard and Banker. (It’s my favourite pub, so far.) I’ve also heard that Rebar is a great vegetarian restaurant, but I haven’t been able to get there yet.

  14. 14
    CookiePie   January 4, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Oh yum – that looks fantastic, and good for you for not wasting that delicious-sounding bread! Well done!

  15. 15
    Cakespy   January 5, 2009 at 10:35 am

    Have fun in Victoria. I love Bubby Rose’s, Murchie’s, Bond Bond Bakery, and Rhineland Bakery. Yum! OH and Market on Yates is quite nice too for takeaway/sandwiches, that sort of thing.

  16. 16
    jen   January 5, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Oooh – lovely alternative to croutons. That would go down a real treat right now!

  17. 17
    kickpleat   January 5, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    thanks veggiegirl!

    raspberry, it is very fresh and simple! and delicious too 🙂

    niki, i’ve been to ferris’ and eugene’s before…i’ll definitely check out those others. thanks!

    anon, good to know about the reef! pig? sounds awesome!

    yes, use up those old breads, kaitlin! this is a great way to try!

    haha, dawn!

    thanks hayley, i’m really looking forward to it!

    megan, it is really yummy!

    jena, nope, just victoria. thanks for the suggestions!

    daily spud, those sausages look awesome and are definitely on my to do list!

    oooh, i love pubs! thanks for the tip, jabba. i’ve been to rebar before, thanks 🙂

    thanks marja for stopping by 🙂

    definitely, cookiepie. that’s why i love it!

    ooh, cakespy! i love your bakery recommendations!

    jen, it’s so much better than croutons!

  18. 18
    juststudying   January 5, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    A great hidden gem in Victoria is Hernandez, its not fancy but the food is fantastic. The owner is from El Salvadore. The coronatas are great. http://www.hernandezrestaurant.com/index.htm.

  19. 19
    Bijoux   January 5, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    This soup looks and sounds delicious! I’m wondering what C thought about this soup, you know, since he’s not a fan of soup.

    Over the summer I made a bread salad, which I devoured on the spot. It was so good. Bread soup = A brilliant way to use up stale bread!

    I can’t offer you advice on where to eat in Victoria because the only one time I was there on a day trip, we were on a budget and only had a sandwich for lunch somewhere near the marina sitting on a bench watching the boats. The scenery more than made up for the meagre food though.

  20. 20
    eatme_delicious   January 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Ohhh Victoria! I love Victoria. There’s a Greek restaurant called Passero’s (http://greatervictoria.com/restaurants/passerosgreekitalianrestaurant.htm) that has the most delicious falafel. Have fun!

  21. 21
    Foodista   January 5, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    I’d like to invite you to take some time to drop by at Foodista and share this delicious recipe with us. We have launched an online food and cooking encyclopedia ala wikipedia. Add a recipe and you can win a $100 gift card to Sur la table. Don’t forget to register first so we know who to thank the recipe for. Thanks! Happy New Year!

  22. 22
    Cathy   January 5, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    I recommend the new pizzeria in cook street village (near Beacon Hill Park), Prima Strada: http://www.pizzeriaprimastrada.com/

    And here is Monday Magazine’s (our little equivalent of the Georgia Straight) top eats for 2008: http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/serving-suggestions/

    As for things to do, this may be of interest to you: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/eventDetail.aspx?eID=6367

    Hope you have a great time!

  23. 23
    seedtosoul   January 6, 2009 at 11:48 am

    I’m sure you’re already in Victoria but here are some more delicious stops for you on your island trip:

    If you like Coffee you have to stop at Street Level Espresso on Fort Street, East of Douglas street.

    Mole is a great breakfast stop (probably the most popular in the city) and it’s on Pandora.

    If you like diner food you have to stop at Floyd’s Diner on the corner of Quadra and Johnson street.

    And finally if you like Thai food I highly recommend Baan Thai on Blanchard near View

    I did a whole series of posts before Christmas on my favourite Island food places…if you need more suggestions 😀

    Enjoy your trip!

  24. 24
    Aimée   January 7, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Have a great time! My first mentor, George Szasz, has two places in Victoria: Paprika Bistro and Stage. Stage was just awarded Best New Restaurant by En Route. Try to stop in and if you meet the chef say hi from me!!

  25. 25
    Kirsten   January 7, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Yum, bread soup. It’s like intentionally including crackers.

    I usually make either bread pudding with my stale bread, or, especially if it’s savoury, cut it into pieces and save it in the freezer for poultry stuffing. When we get a full bag it’s time to roast a bird!

    Everyone has suggested my faves in Victoria, so you are well taken care of!

  26. 26
    Leilani   January 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    You really should go to Mo;le and drink some coffee at habit next door as well! My two favorite places!

  27. 27
    Gemma   January 9, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Mmm. I love finding new recipes to use with stale bread. I am bookmarking this one to try soon.

  28. 28
    Anonymous   January 14, 2009 at 12:47 am

    It’s too bad that I didn’t post this before, but next time you’re in Vic, stop at Spinnakers and have some micro-brew and really good food.

    I’m not sure how organic/vegan is, but I had the best beer I’ve ever had, with a great meal.

    Decently priced too.

  29. 29
    kickpleat   January 14, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    juststudying, it was a hidden gem. we never did find it tho we did find out it was in an office building. next time for sure!

    bijoux, the husband loved the soup. well he ate it all with no complaints, so that’s good 🙂

    eatme, we didn’t eat greek this time out, but will try it next time we go!

    cathy, thanks for the pizza recommendation. we went and loved it! we had a mushroom pizza and a spicy sausage one. so good!

    seedtosoul, dang, we didn’t make it out to any of those! will keep on hand for next time. thanks!

    thanks for the recommendations aimee! too fancy for my wallet, but who knows, maybe next time!

    kirsten, i’ve never made bread pudding before (never eaten it either!). will have to remedy that.

    leilani, thanks for the suggestions. next time!

    gemma, it’s a good one! why waste bread?

    anon, we did go to spinnakers and we weren’t happy with what we ate (the natchos). the beer was good tho (but they were out of my favorite…ipa). we really loved the beer at canoe!

  30. 30
    MadCalicoJess   January 15, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    I did some substituting around with the veg, but the two biggest differences was I used fresh rosemary and squeezed fresh lemon in at the end, delicious not matter what. I love these quick & simple recipes that can easily have substitutes.

  31. 31
    kickpleat   January 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    jess, i agree completely! i think your subs sound lovely! a perfect compliment to a winter soup.

  32. 32
    Kristen   February 25, 2009 at 11:29 am

    I know this post is from ages ago, but I wanted to let you this was THE BEST soup I’ve made in ages.

  33. 33
    kickpleat   February 25, 2009 at 11:34 am

    kristen, thanks so much for saying so. glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  34. 34
    zoe   March 2, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    i know this post is from a long time ago but i just made it and its tastyyyy

  35. 35
    Dazy   July 28, 2009 at 1:08 am

    That's my kind of meal when I am alone. That and a glass of wine and a chick movie! Looks perfect!

  36. 36
    Mika   May 9, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    I`m making this soup right now and my house (which usually smells like stale beer and …something strange) smells heavenly. I never thought you could use stale bread in soup. Thanks for the post! I love your blog!

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