He pan It is a fundamental food in many cultures, especially in the Mediterranean diet, where its presence is as constant as it is indispensable. However, it is quite common for many homes to accumulate stale bread and not know exactly how to use it.
However, instead of simply throwing it away, there are countless ways to give it a second life. One of the great defenders of efficient cooking is the pastry chef. Joan Rocafrom the prestigious restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. In its desire to make the most of each ingredient and reduce waste, Roca shares a simple but sophisticated recipe that uses stale bread: a english cream accompanied by golden bread in butter and ice cream. In addition, both the process and the ingredients necessary to make this recipe are available to almost anyone.
Joan Roca’s recipe: English cream with stale bread
- 250 ml milk
- 250 ml of cream
- 50g sugar
- 100 g egg yolks (approximately 3 yolks)
- Cinnamon stick and lemon peel
- stale bread cut into pieces
- In a saucepan, heat the milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel. Bring the mixture to 85 degrees, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. Meanwhile, we can prepare the pieces of stale bread in a container.
- Pour the cream over the bread pieces and let them soak for a few minutes. It is important that the bread absorbs the cream, but without becoming too soggy.
- Once the bread is well soaked, remove excess liquid with absorbent paper. Then, sauté the bread pieces in a pan with butter and sugar until they caramelize, become golden and crispy.
- Serve still hot, adding some crème anglaise as a base, and accompanying with vanilla ice cream or the flavor that we like the most.
This dish not only rescues stale bread, but transforms something common into a gastronomic experience which combines the crunchy texture of bread with the softness and sweetness of cream.
Claiming bread: a food full of versatility and tradition
Bread is one of those foods that embodies the essence of traditional cuisine. For centuries it has been the basis of food in many cultures, and take advantage of it in all its forms It has been an ancient practice. From the classic migas to the famous torrijas, each culture has had its own recipes that allow you to make the most of this precious food. In modern times, and especially in haute cuisine, chefs like Joan Roca They demand sustainability in the kitchenreminding us that even the most everyday ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary.
In this way, Joan Roca and his brothers have promoted a kitchen concept that goes beyond the creation of spectacular dishes. At El Celler de Can Roca they have defended the importance of sustainability and respect for ingredients. Roca is not the only chef who has advocated the use of stale bread; However, its focus is on giving ingredients a second life in a creative and elegant way, integrating practices that respect the cyclical nature of food.
These types of recipes are not only an invitation to take advantage of bread, but are also part of a conscious cooking philosophy that has spread in haute cuisine and home cooking. The simplicity of the ingredients and the process show how haute cuisine can be within everyone’s reachusing simple but effective techniques to transform the everyday into something extraordinary.
The importance of utilization recipes
This recipe from Joan Roca is a clear example of how food waste can be reduced with a little imagination. According to data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), one third of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted every year. In this context, the message of the most renowned chefs takes on special relevance, helping to promote a culinary approach where each ingredient, no matter how simple it may seem, can be valued and used to the maximum.
In home cooking, stale bread can be a base for multiple preparations, from soups and crumbs to desserts such as bread pudding or French toast. The key is knowing how to combine basic ingredients to obtain sophisticated results. Thus, what could be considered waste becomes the opportunity to create something delicious and surprising.
Source: www.telecinco.es
