Bread Soup Gingham Embroidered Apron

[Laurie]

I collect gingham embroidered aprons of all types and this one especially intrigued me because I have never heard of "Bread Soup!" The recipe stitched on the apron seems to be more of a sweet fruit dessert, but it got me to wondering if Bread Soup could have also been a recipe from the Depression era. I quick online search turned up some "peasant soup" recipes, more of a true soup with veggies, some broth and bread thrown in!

Does anyone know about Bread Soup and if it hearkens back to the Depression?

Many thanks!
Laurie

[MaryCorbet]

My mom (that fountain of wisdom!) said that when she was a child, in the 30's and beyond, it was common to mix bread and milk to eat, or to feed to kids who were sick, especially day old (or older) bread that was a bit tough. With or without sugar... depended on whether or not there was any in the larder. I also remember my mom making us milk toast when we were little (this was mid to end of the 70's), using toasted bread, warm milk and a little sugar. I've not seen or eaten milk toast since then! But she said she never heard it called "Bread Soup" and wonders if that is just a kind of joke, the title being used tongue-in-cheek for something that was really very common and didn't require a recipe.

Question: with that quart of fruit - did they mix that in, or serve the "bread soup" on top of the fruit?

I'm not sure it sounds all that appetizing....!

Neat idea - first time I've seen a recipe embroidered in this manner on an apron.

[Laurie]

Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Mary! Yes, I remember milk toast, too, but it was always warm milk poured onto toast, and given when we were sick.

When I searched "Bread Soup" online, the recipes I found seemed to use up stale bread by adding pieces to broth & veggies. It was always a savory soup, sometimes called "Peasant Bread." I'm guessing Bread Soup was just a broad term for any type of soup that included bread and it would be a good way to use up stale bread, and fill hungry tummies!

I found it interesting that someone would stitch a recipe on an apron, especially one that was no doubt, easily remembered and didn't require a recipe.

Blessings!
Laurie