Garlic bread

Who doesn't savor a nice crusty bread accompanying a good meal? Topping the list is Garlic bread. It is said that Garlic bread appeared in Italy around the 15th century and can be traced back to Ancient Rome. In the United States, Garlic bread has been on the menu of many restaurants since at least the 1950s, oGen paired with pasta dishes, parIcularly lasagna and spagheJ. Commercially manufactured frozen Garlic bread was developed in the 1970s by Cole's Quality Foods in Muskegon, Michigan. The pungent aroma alone tantalizes the senses readying for the bite. BiIng into Garlic bread offers textures of a crispy edge to a soG or firm buUery center. The Garlicky taste IIllates the tongue varying from a strong, racy vibe to a more mellow buUery taste. OpIons abound with easier cooking methods and numerous spreads like Garlic with Sriracha, herbs, Parmesan, Cheddar or Feta. Plus no longer does anyone care about Garlic-breath because most everyone indulges.

What to serve with Garlic bread?

Garlic bread is so delicious, you can eat it by itself. However, it is a very popular and a most loved side dish to many main courses. Here are just a few:

• Pasta: Garlic bread is enjoyed with delicious, rich, and creamy pasta dishes like, Alfredo FeUuccini or SpagheJ Bolognese or Spinach Lasagne. In fact any pasta dish you can think of tastes beUer with a Garlic bread add-on.

• Soups: Soups are comforIng, hearty, and bring so much warmth, especially in the cold of winter. Pair Garlic bread with hot and sour soups, cauliflower soups, lenIl soups, etc. Complete with a glass of red wine and it's a combinaIon to die for.

• Stews: Stews and chili are rich and delicious. They are oGen served with flatbreads or crackers. But serving them with Garlic bread adds to the richness.

• Steaks: Garlic bread is a good side dish with steaks. The crusty bread soaks up the au jus and renders a flavorful oomph.

• Salad: Garlic bread adds flavor and texture to pracIcally any fresh salad. Plus the leGover bread can be cut into cubes, toasted or dehydrated for nice croutons to use on a Caesar or other salad.

  How to store Garlic bread?

  Any leGover Garlic bread stored in the refrigerator in a plasIc bag or container will get soggy. The best way to store leGover Garlic bread is to wrap it in aluminum foil once it is reaches room temperature. Place the wrapped bread in the refrigerator; and it will last for up to 3 days.

  To reheat place the wrapped bread in preheated oven at 350-degree F for about 10 minutes. Voila! As fresh and tasty as new.

Garlic Bread Recipe

Prepara1on 1me: 5 minutes Cooking 1me: 18 minutes Total 1me: 23 minutes Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 French loaf or rusIc crusty loaf 1⁄2 cup + 1⁄4 cup Parmesan, grated 1⁄2 cup unsalted melted buUer
4 Garlic cloves, grated

1⁄4 cup freshly chopped parsley 1 tsp Black pepper
1⁄4 tsp kosher salt

Prepara:on

1. In a bowl, add melted buUer, grated Garlic, parmesan cheese, and freshly chopped parsley.

2. Season with salt and black pepper and mix well.

3. Using a sharp knife, cut deep slits into the French loaf; without cuJng through to the boUom. Make sure the slits are an inch apart.

4. Place the loaf on aluminum foil. Using a spoon, spread the buUer and Garlic mixture on the loaf and inside the slits.

5. Wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place on a baking tray.

6. Place the baking tray in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes.

7. Remove the baking tray from the oven, unwrap the loaf and sprinkle more parmesan cheese on the loaf.

8. Return it to the oven for three more minutes and once the cheese is golden brown, remove the baking tray from the oven.

9. Slice the loaf using a serrated knife and enjoy!