A step-by-step guide on how to make classic garlic bread:
Ingredients:
- 1 French baguette or Italian bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the garlic bread.
2. Prepare the Garlic Butter:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and minced garlic. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your taste; if you love a strong garlic flavor, use more cloves.
- Optionally, add the chopped fresh parsley to the butter and garlic mixture for a burst of color and flavor.
- Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
3. Slice the Bread:
- Cut the French baguette or Italian bread in half horizontally, creating two long pieces.
4. Spread the Garlic Butter:
- Take each bread half and spread the garlic butter mixture generously over the cut sides. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly with the garlic butter mixture.
5. Reassemble the Bread:
- Place the two halves back together to reform the loaf.
6. Wrap in Foil (Optional):
- To keep the bread extra soft on the inside, you can wrap the whole loaf in aluminum foil, leaving the cut ends open.
7. Bake:
- Place the wrapped or unwrapped garlic bread on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the bread is hot and the butter has melted and soaked into the bread.
8. Broil (Optional):
- If you want a crispy and golden top, you can remove the foil and broil the garlic bread for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
9. Slice and Serve:
- Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool for a minute.
- Slice the loaf diagonally into individual pieces, creating garlic bread slices.
10. Garnish (Optional):
- You can garnish the garlic bread with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
1. Serve:
- Serve your homemade garlic bread slices while they're warm and the butter is still melted. They pair wonderfully with pasta dishes, salads, or as a tasty snack.
Enjoy your homemade garlic bread with its aromatic garlic and buttery goodness!