When I was experimenting in the kitchen and learning how to prepare American fare back in high school, I often reached for prepared foods. It was what I knew and it gave me a starting point to use as a guide. One of those prepared foods I'd reach for is frozen garlic bread. It was a must whenever I made an Italian inspired pasta meal. What I didn't realize back then was how simple it was to make at home. Even better was making it completely from scratch - even the bread!
I recently got back into working on my breadmaking skills through the Bread Baker's Apprentice challenge group. I've been out of the bread loop for a few months but now I'm ready to get back into it. For this week's challenge, I made some Poolish Baguettes. I used one of the baguette loaves for the following herbed garlic bread recipe. Of course, you can use any loaf of bread you'd like - French, Italian, even Texas Toast! What makes this delicious is the herbed garlic and cheese butter that's spread on the bread and baked at a high temperature. What's also nice about this recipe is you can adjust the amounts of garlic, herbs and cheese to suit your tastes. This was the perfect accompaniment for the Italian Sausage & Spinach Manicotti we had for dinner.
*If you're a bread head, you may like YeastSpotting - a site of some amazing bread pics and recipes!
I recently got back into working on my breadmaking skills through the Bread Baker's Apprentice challenge group. I've been out of the bread loop for a few months but now I'm ready to get back into it. For this week's challenge, I made some Poolish Baguettes. I used one of the baguette loaves for the following herbed garlic bread recipe. Of course, you can use any loaf of bread you'd like - French, Italian, even Texas Toast! What makes this delicious is the herbed garlic and cheese butter that's spread on the bread and baked at a high temperature. What's also nice about this recipe is you can adjust the amounts of garlic, herbs and cheese to suit your tastes. This was the perfect accompaniment for the Italian Sausage & Spinach Manicotti we had for dinner.
*If you're a bread head, you may like YeastSpotting - a site of some amazing bread pics and recipes!
Classic Herbed Garlic Bread
recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated
9-10 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 fresh ground pepper
1 loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise (I used a homemade Poolish baguette)
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 fresh ground pepper
1 loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise (I used a homemade Poolish baguette)
Spread the cut sides of loaf evenly with the garlic butter mixture and season to taste with pepper. Transfer loaf halves, buttered side up, onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven. Halfway through baking (after 4-5 minutes), reverse the position of baking sheet in oven from front to back. Continue baking for another 4-5 minutes until surface of bread is golden brown and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut each half into 2-inch slices; serve immediately.
I love garlic bread. Your recipe sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLove it -- thanks for sending this to YeastSpotting!
ReplyDeleteJoelen, I made this tonight and it was delicious!!! I used artisan bakery bread and it turned out so good. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
ReplyDeleteGarlic bread is one of my ultimate comfort foods! Thanks for reminding me that I should use up some of my homemade bread to make it.
ReplyDeleteHi Joelen,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find your blog, and great to hear that you are getting back into the "bread loop!"
Mmm, garlic bread. What a nice way to enjoy Peter Reinhart's Poolish Baguette. Especially on a day like today. The Chicago blizzard is just starting to hit, and my hands are in the dough.
My husband and I are new to Chicago. We just started the Chicago Amateur Bread Bakers meetup (http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Amateur-Bread-Bakers/), to get together with other Chicago bread-bakers.
Our next (and first) meeting is in the Chicago loop next week. It would be wonderful to have you there. Would you like to come?