Bread: the staff of life

January 05, 1999

Materials courtesy of American Bakers Association:

photo: Clockwise from top left are Southwestern Salsa, Chili Pita Chips, "Banana Banana" Bread Pudding and a platter of Dilled Salmon Cream Cheese and Curried Chicken Salad Tea sandwiches.

Ah, bread. Over the years we've broken it, toasted it, broiled it, topped it and savored it. As an integral part of our holidays, religious ceremonies and festive gatherings bread reigns supreme because to celebrate bread is to celebrate life.

Whether celebrating graduation with a summer barbecue, a birthday party with an afternoon tea party or simply enjoying a Sunday morning breakfast in bed, versatile breads serve as both the backdrop and the centerpiece, offering an endless palette of possibilities.

[cont. from lifestyle]

"For winter gatherings, I like to serve warm bread puddings. On Sunday mornings and New Year's, the kids and I make our special French toast," says Barbara Albright, a dietitian and contributing writer of "Disney's Family Cookbook." "You've got herbed bread stuffings, cocktail sandwiches, savory rolls and bread bowls to hold dips and soups all perfect for special celebrations."

Truly one of the original "fast foods," bread is as easily dressed up as it is dressed down, serving as the quintessential wardrobe piece for stuffings, appetizers, sandwiches and main dishes.

"Because bread is made from simple, wholesome ingredients including water, flour and yeast, it's no wonder that it's such an important part of every culture's diet," says Albright. "Bread is literally ingrained in our celebrations; but the truth is, you can celebrate bread every day because it's a healthful, low-fat grain food."

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