Don't throw out those leftover bread heels! You can use them to make some delicious meals and desserts! As you come to the end of each loaf of bread, simply take the two heels from the package, and freeze them in a plastic freezer bag. When you have one freezer bag full, it's time to make:

Stuffing:

6 cups cubed bread (from leftover heels)

1 tblsp parsley, 3 tblsp chicken base

1/4 cup dried minced onion

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp sage

1/2 tsp salt

Bake bread cubes @ 350° for 8- 10 minutes. Cool and toss with dry ingredients. Store in a closed container. When ready to cook, combine 2 cups stuffing with 1/4 cup water and 2 tblsp butter. Either bake in oven with bird, microwave partially covered for 5-7 minutes, or cook on stovetop for 15-20 minutes or until all water is absorbed.

Meatloaf:

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 egg

2 cups leftover bread heels, cut into 1 1/2 inch squares

salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tblsp mustard

1 tsp nutmeg

Mix sauce together in a small bowl. Combine meatloaf ingredients in a mixing bowl, and add half of the sauce to the meatloaf mix. Form loaf and place in pan. Spread remaining sauce to the top of the loaf, cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.

Bread Pudding:

6-8 cups cubed bread

2 eggs

1 tblsp flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tblsp cinammon

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup raisins

1/4-1/2 cup water

4 cups milk

Put bread cubes in mixing bowl, add enough water to soften the cubes, stir (be careful not to blend them...just gently stir a time or two.). Add flour, sugar, cinnamon and raisins to the bread cubes, mix together. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, vanilla and milk. Add this to bread mixture, stir. Grease a glass baking pan (9x13) and pour into the pan. Bake @ 350° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until set in the center. Let cool slightly, but serve warm.

Croutons:

3 cups bread cubes

1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. salt and pepper (to taste)

1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil

2 tsp. Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp. onion powder (or less to taste)

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning (optional)

Preheat oven to . In a small bowl mix garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Put bread cubes into a bowl and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, onion powder and Italian seasoning, if desired. Pour oil mixture over bread crumbs and toss. Spread out on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until golden brown about (15-20 minutes). Store in an airtight container. These taste best if they are allowed to sit for one day before using.