Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Jan 27, 2016 4 min read

As a kid, my mom would use a snowstorm as a way to clean out the pantry, not stock it up. We opened can goods we never thought would be used, finished the end of the cereals that were nothing but crumbs, and were the original food hacks with the dishes we concocted.

But, now our storms are dominated by three food items. In 2016, with the blizzard that now has a name (when did we start naming winter storms?) there was almost frenzied references to milk, bread and eggs. There were viral videos, memes by the ‘dozen’ and major news outlets were tweeting out milk and bread reminders hours before the storm. One television station even has a bread-o-meter to track the snow fall.

There are many theories to why these are the most popular things that are stocked up on. I agree with three of them; a comfort food release, a lean toward perishable items and keeping up with the Joneses. Whatever the reason, here are some recipes to use if we have stockpiled too much of these items.

We use comfort food as a way to keep us relaxed in stressful times. They are part of our childhood and help keep us on an even keel. So, many are repeating what their parents, grandparents did when the big storm hits. French toast is about as comforting as it gets. Here is something to do with the leftover French toast, if you went crazy making it.

French toast bread pudding

6 slices leftover French toast or leftover bread

4 eggs

½ cup sugar

1 ¾ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch salt

4 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup pecans

1/3 cup raisins

Shake or two of cinnamon.

Butter a 9×9 baking dish or 8-inch round casserole dish. Beat eggs until frothy and thick, add milk, vanilla, salt and sugar. Pour ½ of egg mixture on bottom of baking/casserole dish. Cut toast/bread diagonally and arrange in dish. Pour rest of egg mixture over bread. Cut butter into brown sugar until mealy and add pecans, cinnamon and raisins. Press into bread and egg, make sure bread is soaking up egg. Cover and let rest for about an hour. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

There is a belief that many people choose milk, bread and eggs, because they are perishable. Buying perishable items gives them a subconscious confidence that the storm will not last long. Hence, when the bread and milk are gone, the storm is over. Most of the time, the storm does not outlast the bread, milk and eggs but there are the exceptions.

A strata is a good way to get rid of the excess bread, milk and eggs along with anything else you stockpiled. You can use meats, vegetables etc. Here is a basic recipe.

Strata

1 large finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

tablespoondijonmustard

2 cup shredded cheese, preferrableswiss or gruyere but you can use any type

¼ cup grated parmesan

3 cups milk

9 large eggs beaten

8 cups cubed bread

2 cups cooked vegetables

2 cups sausage or bacon crumbled

Butter 13×9 baking dish. In mixing bowl combine first eight ingredients. Then fold in cubed bread, vegetables and meat. Let sit for an hour or overnight in a refrigerator. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.

Another viable theory is; the keeping up with the Joneses. We “need” to go to the store, because everyone else is. We notice that the milk, bread and eggs are going fast, so we better get some. Because of this theory, I believe that we will be getting wine and beer also. So after the storm has lifted, we need to do something about the aftermath. So with the leftover bread milk and egg, we can concoct a South American hangover cure; which is actually very tasty.

Changua

3 cups milk

2 cups water or chicken stock

4 eggs

½ cup fresh cilantro

½ cup green onions chopped

Clove garlic minced

Salt and pepper

4 slices bread toasted

Heat up milk and water in sauce pot, add onions, ½ of the cilantro , garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Reduce to simmer and break eggs into soup, keeping them whole. Poach eggs for around 3 minutes until whites are cooked. Tear toasted bread into cubes and place in four bowls. Pour soup over bread and place eggs on top. Serve.

Whatever your reason for stockpiling milk, bread and eggs for the next storm, we hope you only have to do it on occasion. All other times, my wife believes we should be stockpiling chocolate.

Chef Joe Carei has been an award-winning chef in Fayette County nearly half of his life. The former PA Restaurateur of the Year now operates Ellie Mae’s Catering and Food Clubs. He can be reached at joe@elliemaescatering.com.