Today's Secret's - Bread - the daily staple - Tips on how to save

Bread. We all use it and even those with allergies demand a version of it they can eat. Where would we be without bread?

I think bread costs a ridiculous amount these days. I usually buy the shops own brand BUT I buy the thick sliced. It seems the thin sliced is just too thin and the thick sliced is not cut as thickly as branded bread. No idea why but examine a loaf next time you are shopping and see what you think.

Fussy kids? Use a round pizza cutting wheel to cut the crusts off bread. Less mess and you waste less of the bread. Don't waste those crusts save them in a bag in the freezer and once you have quite a few blend them into breadcrumbs and put onto a pie or over fish/chicken.

Making bulk sandwiches for a picnic or party? Use a stick of cheap butter in a bowl with some milk and then melt together in the microwave for a few seconds the mixture will spread well and last for ages.

If there is a deal on at the supermarket then freeze any extra loafs they actually defrost well and seem to last for a quite a few days. This is also a good idea if you buy a cheap loaf that it about to go out of date. Freeze it with a bit of waxed paper between slices and then just remove what you need and defrost it or toast it, frozen bread toasts up lovely.

You can bake your own bread. It is not complicated and you do not need a fancy bread maker. This is one of many sites with easy bread making recipes -
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10121/bread-in-four-easy-steps
Copy and paste it into your browser. Yummy bread. Remember to add honey as it keeps the bread moist. Oil added to the bread when baking will make it stay fresh longer.

Flour compacts when settled so fluff it out before measuring to make sure you get the correct amount and that you don't waste any. Flour kept in the freezer will last longer.

To prevent bread from drying out when baking put a cake tin over the top.

Old stale bread? Brush olive oil over the top wrap it in tin foil and bake for a few minutes on a low heat to refresh it. Or plunge it in cold water before baking for about 10 minutes in a warm oven.

If you have a really old bit of bread still don't throw it out. Use as breadcrumbs (see above) or if you are making a stew/soup run the bread over the top before serving to remove extra fat/grease and salt from the dish.