A Loaf of French Bread: Endless Possibilities

Are you looking for quick and easy meals to enjoy with your family? If so, a loaf of French bread could be your new best friend. Here are some of my favorite uses for that inexpensive, warm-at-four-o-clock, paper-wrapped, grocery-store-baked wonder.

1) French Toast - One loaf will feed your whole family, perhaps for more than one breakfast. Slice the loaf into approximately one-inch thick slices and prepare your favorite French toast recipe. (Some stores sell pre-sliced loaves as well, but they are typically thinner slices.) If you don't already have a favorite recipe, then try this: Mix up 6 to 8 eggs in a bowl and add cinnamon if you like. Dip your slices into the egg batter and fry on a hot griddle, flipping once after a couple of minutes to cook both sides. The best part about this recipe is that you can eat some that day, and freeze the rest for later. Try freezing the slices in smaller-sized freezer bags so you can pull some out as necessary. The way my family likes to re-heat the French toast is by using the toaster. Although the microwave is good, the toaster actually makes the slices a little crispy on the outside, just like when you make them fresh. To make sure the toaster cooks them thoroughly, take your freezer bag out the night before and store it in the refrigerator. It's perfect for a warm breakfast on those crazy before-school (and work) mornings. As a bonus, your children can easily toast it themselves (perhaps while you are searching for your other shoe.)

2) Submarine Sandwiches - Slice your loaf of French bread length-wise. Add meats, veggies, dressings, and anything else you like on a great submarine sandwich. Re-join both halves together and slice into portions. Usually, slices of around two or three inches work well. This is a great "quickie" meal for lots of guests, or maybe for a summer picnic. Many stores now also sell the fresh loaves of bread in a whole-wheat variety, which I particularly enjoy for submarine sandwiches. Just like a catered lunch from your local sandwich shop; why not make it yourself?

3) French Bread Pizza - Slice the yummy bread length-wise, as you would for the submarine sandwich. Add your favorite pizza sauce, cheese and toppings. Bake on a cookie sheet at approximately 375 degrees. Bake for around 10 minutes; more or less, depending on how crunchy you like your crust. The easiest way to slice your pizza is to cut it after you have applied the toppings, but before you bake it. (The reason for this is that once it comes out warm from the oven, it tends to get smashed down while trying to cut it.) Do this right on the cookie sheet you will be baking on to minimize any mess as you cut through the toppings. My family prefers to cut each half into approximately two-inch slices. This makes it perfect finger food.

4) Garlic Bread - It is a classic, and here is my favorite way to prepare it. Slice the French loaf length-wise, as you would for the submarine sandwich. Place the two halves on a cookie sheet. Smother in butter and either garlic powder (or the real thing is even better if you chop it up well first.) You may also want to try adding different varieties of shredded cheese. As with the French bread pizza, the best time to slice this is after you have added the toppings, but before you bake it. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 10 minutes, more or less, depending on how crunchy you like it.

5) Slice it and eat it! If you grab your French loaf while it is still warm, you may have a hard time not sampling some right out of the bag. I've been known to even rip off the end for a bite on the way home from the store. There is just something about fresh-baked bread... Mmm-mmm, Yummy! Perhaps it would be wise to buy two, so your thievery does not tarnish your otherwise beautiful meal.