Garlic bread is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that pairs well with many Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade garlic bread:
Ingredients:
1 French baguette or Italian bread
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced (adjust to your taste)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the bread: Slice the baguette or Italian bread in half lengthwise, creating two long pieces. You can also slice it into individual serving-size pieces if you prefer.
Make the garlic butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, a pinch of salt, and some freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
Spread the garlic butter: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Make sure to get it all the way to the edges.
Optional: Add Parmesan cheese: If you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bread for an extra layer of flavor.
Reassemble the bread: Place the two halves of the bread back together, or if you sliced it into individual pieces, assemble them into their original shape.
Wrap in foil: Wrap the garlic bread in aluminum foil. Make sure it’s sealed well to keep the flavors and moisture inside.
Bake in the oven: Place the foil-wrapped garlic bread in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is hot and the butter has melted and infused with the garlic and parsley.
Optional: Broil for a crispy top: If you want a crispy, golden top, you can unwrap the garlic bread and place it under the broiler for a minute or two, but watch it closely to avoid burning.
Slice and serve: Carefully unwrap the garlic bread, slice it, and serve it while it’s still warm.
Enjoy your homemade garlic bread as a side dish with pasta, salad, or any other meal of your choice. It’s a perfect complement to many dishes and is always a crowd-pleaser.