Cheesy Garlic Bread

When the garlic and utterly delicious butter meets the bread, it leads to one heck of a goodness which I doubt any one in their right mind can resist. Garlic bread makes an easy and quick side to any meal or makes a good appetizer. This cheesy garlic bread is even better. The prep work can be done ahead of time and this can be baked right before you are ready to serve. Top with some red chilly flakes if you like a touch of heat.

This also freezes well.

And while we are talking all garlicky here, lets not forget the bruchetta with garlic crisp and garlic pull apart bread.

Add garlic and olive oil to a food processor and grind till garlic is crushed well. Add butter and pulse once or twice till the oil and butter blends.

Transfer the spread into a bowl and add cilantro / coriander leaves + salt. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
Cut the loaf into 1 inch thickness but not cutting all the way through. Let the slices stay attached.

Place the loaf on an aluminum foil and spread garlic butter between the bread slices. Wrap with the foil and place it in the oven for 10 minutes.

The butter melts and the bread softens  after it has been in the oven for 10 minutes.

Take it out of the oven, separate the slices and place it on a baking tray.

Top the slices with shredded cheese and place it back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes or till the cheese melts and bubbles.

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Cheesy Garlic Bread

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Servings: 16 slices

Author: Teena Agnel

Ingredients

• 1 Italian loaf french loaf or crusty bread
• 1 and 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• FOR GARLIC BUTTER:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 medium cloves garlic
• 4 oz 113g (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit / 205 Degrees Celsius.
2. Add garlic and olive oil to a food processor and grind till garlic is crushed well. Add butter and pulse once or twice till the oil and butter blends.
3. Transfer the spread into a bowl and add cilantro / coriander leaves + salt. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
4. Cut the loaf into 1 inch thickness but not cutting all the way through. Let the slices stay attached.
5. Place the loaf on an aluminum foil and spread garlic butter between the bread slices. Wrap with the foil and place it in the oven for 10 minutes.
6. Take it out of the oven, separate the slices and place it on a baking tray. Top the slices with shredded cheese and place it back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes or till the cheese melts and bubbles.

Recipe Notes

To freeze: Wrap the bread (which is already spread with garlic butter) with aluminum foil, again wrap with plastic wrap and place this in the freezer.

To bake: Thaw the bread on the countertop or refrigerator and follow the baking instruction. Let the bread stay wrapped while the bread is thawing. Its takes 1-2 hours to thaw.