Snacks & Appetizers: Garlic Bread

Who doesn't like garlic bread? Well, people who don't like garlic, I suppose. For everyone else, garlic bread is delicious and pairs well with pasta and other dishes. It's also a great snack for parties or simply for when the kids get home from school.


You can use any bread to make this. You might try rye bread, buttermilk bread, Vienna bread, or even Challah bread. I like mine made with sour bread or sourdough. This particular recipe uses just white bread, but don't be afraid to use whatever you have on hand.


Ingredients


1 recipe for Basic White Bread
½ butter, melted
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 tbsp parsley
grated cheese (optional)


Preparation


Make the bread according to the recipe direction. But don't put it in a bread pan for its second rise. Instead, shape your dough into a long loaf similar to a baguette but a bit fatter. A loaf that's about 14 inches long should be sufficient. Let rise and bake as directed.


Allow the loaf to cool completely before proceeding. Once it is cool, heat the oven to 400°F. Slice the loaf open longwise, separating the top of the loaf from the bottom. Try to keep your cut nice and even. I like to use an electric knife for this step.


Open the loaf and place it on a prepared baking sheet. Combine the butter, garlic powder, parsley, and parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Pour this butter mixture over both halves of the loaf. Use a pastry brush to make sure the butter coats the bread evenly. Allow mixture to sit for 2 minutes so the butter makes its way down into the bread.


Sprinkle with grated cheese, if desired. If not, skip this step. You can use as much or as little cheese as you like. If you do use cheese, sprinkle a little more parsley on top of the cheese. Though this isn't necessary, it makes the bread look nicer.


Bake in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the loaf are browned. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.