Cheater Garlic Bread
Cheater Garlic Bread
This is "Cheater Garlic Bread"--so named because this is the version I like to make sometimes after I've been cooking in the kitchen for a while and my back has started singing, "Ave Maria." It's very tasty--maybe not as intense as garlic bread made with fresh garlic, but it's still far better than any of that "gumpy" stuff they sell in grocery stores (both the version they make in the store and the frozen stuff). Unless you happen to be in a high-end grocery store, then garlic bread is a different story.
You can use sliced French Bread for this recipe but it's much better if you go ahead and get a whole loaf that hasn't been cut. Let the Garlic Bread begin!
Ingredients
- 1 whole loaf French Bread (you can use a baguette if you like)
- Garlic powder, as needed
- Dried basil, as needed
- Dried oregano, as needed
- Parmesan cheese, grated (as needed)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Set your oven on the broil setting. If you only have one setting for this, that's okay (some ovens have adjustable broiler settings). It's not going to be in there long. If you are fortunate enough to have an adjustable broiler setting--you can set it a little lower--375-400 degrees.
- Using a 10"-12" serrated knife, slice open your French Bread from end to end. (I guess you can call it "butterflied," ha!) Put the bread on a sheet pan.
- Spread an even layer of softened butter over both halves with a butter knife. (Alternatively, you can use cooking oil spray instead of the butter to reduce calories. Just give it a good dose if you do).
- Sprinkle garlic powder all over the 2 halves. If I had to "guesstimate," I'd say about a tablespoon of garlic powder altogether. If you'd like more, add more. Just be sure you're using garlic powder and not garlic salt.
- Use your butter knife to "spread" the powder into the butter a little bit. You can give it a good once over--no need to go crazy on it.
- Sprinkle dried basil and dried oregano on top of bread halves (Maybe about 1-1 1/2 teaspoons total. Refer to the picture. If it looks like the picture, you're good.
- Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese on top of bread halves--as much or as little as you like.
- Place sheet pan in the oven for a few minutes. Your oven rack should be about 10"-12" from the oven's top element. You can move it closer if you keep a close eye on it. Toast the bread to your desired color. It will probably take less than 5 minutes, so watch it closely. Blackened garlic bread is not very palatable.
- Enjoy your "Cheater Garlic Bread!"
