This post is written in collaboration with Tip Top bakeries.
Last week I was invited to the Tip Top bakery headquarters to hear about a new campaign they’re launching called ‘A grain of truth’. I also got to have a look inside one of their kitchens and see just how the bread is made. It was one of the most interesting and fun mornings I’ve had in a long time.
There have been so many myths surrounding bread for so long now that this campaign has been launched to set the record straight. Are breads really that bad for us?? Have much do we really need them as part of our balanced diet?? Which bread is best?? It’s no wonder we’re all confused (ok, well I have been anyway).
Dietician Dr Joanna McMilian was on hand to tell us exactly what the truth is behind bread and it’s place in our diet. I found her fascinating to listen to and I learnt so much. I also got up close in the kitchen and saw for myself EXACTLY how the breads at Tip Top were made. It was a real eye opener and really refreshing.
These are a few things I learnt about bread (that I didn’t already know).
- There is no added sugar in bread in Australia.
- White flour is not bleached.
- Bread contains protein as well as carbohydrate.
- White bread still contains some fibre and nutrients.
- The darker in colour the bread the higher in fibre and nutrients it is.
- Vinegar is used to keep bread fresher for longer rather than preservatives (a good tip for when I’m baking my own bread).
- Bread is best stored in a cool, dark place like a bread box or at the back of the pantry NOT in the fridge.
Some of these might be really obvious, but I have for so long believed that white bread was the WORST thing you could eat or feed your kids! I always believed it had no nutritional value at all and was full of sugar. I still very rarely buy white bread but I was thrilled to be proved wrong about it. Especially as my Miss H will not eat any bread that has the slightest hint of grain in it. It’s been an uphill battle with her. I also used to avoid some smooth and soft wholemeal breads because I just assumed they were too similar to white bread. Poor kid – I’ve been making her eat ‘ yucky nutty bread’ for so long, when in actual fact a good wholemeal bread would have been perfectly fine. I’ve now started buying ‘Tip Tip’s The One’ in wholemeal and everyone loves it. It’s the perfect sandwich bread (especially for fussy kids) because its soft, smooth and still full of goodness.
Here is a cool little infographic to help you choose the right bread for your family.
The biggest lesson I learnt was not to fear bread. It really is an essential part of a healthy balanced diet. Everything in moderation of course and with so many amazing breads on offer these days there really is something for everyone. There is lots more great information and some fabulous recipes on the “A grain of truth‘ website. Check it out for yourself.
On that note, here is the recipe for you of one of my all time favourite desserts – bread and butter pudding. I’ve made mine in the thermomix but you can just as easily make it without one. I’ve used coconut milk, coconut sugar and wholemeal bread, making it a great healthy alternative with a delicious coconut caramel flavour.
- 8 slices of wholemeal bread (I used Tip Top's the one, wholemeal)
- 20g butter
- 120g dried apricots
- 60g raw almonds
- 100g coconut cream
- 400g coconut milk
- 100g coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
- Cream or ice-cream for serving
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Add the apricots and the almonds to the Thermomix bowl and chop for 4 seconds on speed 6. Set aside.
- Butter the bread and cut them into quarters (in triangles).
- Add the coconut cream, coconut milk, salt, eggs and vanilla to the thermomix bowl.
- Add 80g of the coconut sugar and 15g butter and cook for 7 minutes at 90 degrees on speed 4.
- While the custard is cooking, layer half of the bread on the bottom of an oven proof baking dish. Make sure they are nicely overlapping.
- Sprinkle half the almond and apricot mix over the bread.
- Pour half of the custard on top and leave it to sit for 30 minutes to make sure the bread has absorbed all the custard.
- Add the second layer of bread, followed by the second half of the apricot and almond mix.
- Pour the remainder of the custard over the top making sure everything is covered and then let it sit for a further 30 mins.
- Sprinkle a layer of coconut sugar on top.
- Place the dish inside a larger oven tray half filled with boiling water and then pop it in the oven. This is to ensure that is does not dry out while it is cooking.
- Bake for 30-40 mins or until golden brown on top and the custard has started to set.
- Serve up hot with either cream or ice-cream and another sprinkle of coconut sugar.
- Enjoy x
So what are your thoughts on bread? Were you also blinded by all the bread myths out there and totally confused?? If so I hope this has helped a little.
Do let me know if you make my pudding, I’d love to know what you thought.
16 comments on “A grain of truth and a delicious, healthy bread and butter pudding”
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So I’m a HUGE fan of white bread but haven’t bought it since having kids, it’s multi-grain wholemeal at our place and the kids know no different. Interesting there’s no added sugar. Glad you got heaps out of it! x
Buy the white bread Em, it’s not so bad – lol!!! I bought some the other day and Hollie thought I was her fairy godmother!! x
We mostly just buy wholemeal and grain breads, haven’t bought white bread for years, but mostly because of the fibre and GI factor, especially when I had gestational diabetes, I pretty much tried every wholemeal and wholemeal/grain bread on the market in a bid to find the one that worked best for my blood sugars.
Sounds like it would have been an absolutely fascinating day!
(Visiting on behalf of #teamIBOT today x)
I was such morning and not what I was expecting at all. I always thought that white bread had a high GI so was really surprised to learn that it actually has lots of fibre in it and is a low GI choice. Who would have though?? I have to admit I still prefer the taste of a good, nutty wholegrain though x
Yum, as soon as I red healthy and caramel I was in. I have just moved my kids onto grainy bread now that they are old enough to chew it up properly, I forgot how much I missed it.
Grainy bread is definitely the best. Except in pudding, lol. You must try the pudding – it’s sooooo good!! x
I’m not a really a big bread fan but the boys love wholemeal and these days, I like Soy and Linseed as a breakfast alternative. It would’ve been amazing to see Tip Top’s bakery.
I missed you there!! You would have love it. Wow, you boys eat wholemeal happily?? High fives to you mamma x
What a great experience! I can’ get my kids to eat anything with grain but they will eat wholemeal. So different to the time I was growing up when we only ate white bread.
I was the opposite, my mum HATED white bread and never ever let us eat – hence me growing up thinking it was the worst thing ever. Although it probably was in those days, lol x
There are so many myths out there about bread arent there. Great to debunk them chick. But why does bread give me hiccups? Thats what I want to know! 😉 xx
I love bread but it doesn’t love me back! I was surprised by a couple of the “myths” on your list – I had always assumed the flour was bleached and was certain that it had sugar added. At least I feel better about giving in occasionally when the boys ask for white bread as we are usually a wholemeal bread family 🙂
Thank you for writing this! I am a little over being told how unhealthy bread is, especially when it’s easy and affordable for lunches with a big family. It’s so nice to feel like I’m not a complete failure as a mother
Nothing beats a white bread and butter prawn sandwich! Great recipe Robyn – LOVE bread and butter pudding!
Stop! Stop! I am drooling!!! That was such a good visit wasn’t it? Interesting and a great bunch of people too.
Good blog post. I certainly love this site. Stick with it!