Frederic Melton
Cheesy garlic bread is a delicious snack and a perfect side dish for pasta and comfort foods. The best cheese for garlic bread is a combination of mozzarella and parmesan, providing the perfect cheese pull. French bread is the best type of bread to use as its crispy outer crust holds up well and its soft middle is perfect for absorbing the garlic butter spread. However, Italian bread is also a popular choice, as it is crusty on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Mozzarella, Parmesan, Provolone, Muenster, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Romano, Asiago, Swiss |
| Bread | French, Italian, Sourdough, Ciabatta, Pizza Dough |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Parsley, Chives, Basil, Scallions, Mayonnaise, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Granulated Sugar, Salt |
| Preparation | Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then increase to 450°F for up to 8 minutes until the top is golden brown |
| Storage | Can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated in the microwave at 40% power for 1 minute |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella and Parmesan are the best cheeses for garlic bread
Mozzarella and Parmesan are the perfect cheese combination for garlic bread. Both cheeses complement the other ingredients in garlic bread, such as garlic, butter, and herbs, to create a simple yet delicious side dish.
Mozzarella is a soft cheese that melts easily and has a mild, slightly tangy flavour. When melted, it becomes gooey and stringy, creating the perfect cheese pull when paired with garlic bread. It is best to shred the mozzarella yourself from a block of cheese, as pre-shredded mozzarella is often coated in a powder that can affect the texture and taste of the final dish.
Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard cheese with a strong, nutty flavour. It adds a savoury depth of flavour and a salty tang to garlic bread. Grating Parmesan from a block at home will also ensure the best flavour and texture.
When combined, the stretchiness of melted mozzarella and the savoury notes of Parmesan create a delicious, indulgent garlic bread. This combination of cheeses also works well with other ingredients that can be added to garlic bread, such as Italian seasoning, scallions, or even a little sugar for added depth of flavour.
To make the perfect garlic bread, it is recommended to use a thick loaf of French bread or Italian bread, which has a crispy crust and a soft interior that is perfect for absorbing the garlic butter. The bread should be sliced in half lengthwise, and a thick layer of garlic butter spread on top. A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese is then sprinkled or shredded on top before baking in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden.
So, for the ultimate cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella and Parmesan are the ideal cheese pairing, creating a mouth-watering side dish that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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French bread is the best bread for garlic bread
French bread's ability to be sliced into thick pieces makes it ideal for holding up to the weight of toppings. It provides a good balance of textures, with a crunchy exterior and a soft, absorbent interior. This is especially important when using ingredients like butter, garlic, and cheese, which can weigh down the bread.
The versatility of French bread is another advantage. It can be used to create a variety of textures, from crunchy to chewy, depending on how it is prepared and served. This adaptability allows for a range of serving options, whether as a side dish or an ingredient in meals like steak night or pasta.
French bread is also a popular choice for garlic bread due to its ability to freeze well. Preparing garlic bread with French bread ahead of time and freezing it can extend its shelf life by up to three months. This makes it a convenient option for those who want to enjoy garlic bread at their leisure without sacrificing taste or texture.
While other types of bread, such as Italian bread or sourdough, can also be used for garlic bread, French bread stands out for its unique combination of a crispy crust and soft interior. This duality in texture is what makes French bread the superior choice for creating a delicious and satisfying garlic bread experience.
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Fresh garlic is better than jarred or powdered garlic
To make the best garlic bread, it is important to consider the type of garlic used. While jarred or powdered garlic may be convenient, fresh garlic offers a more nuanced, bold, and vibrant flavour profile.
Fresh garlic refers to the bundle of cloves in a head of garlic, which must be peeled, minced, and sliced. This extra effort is rewarded with a more intense and flavourful experience. The natural oils in fresh garlic can be lost in jarred varieties, and the preservation process can degrade the flavour and aroma. If you are short on time, making your own jarred garlic by mincing cloves and bottling them with olive oil can be a better option than store-bought.
Jarred garlic is a convenient alternative, offering pre-peeled and pre-minced garlic cloves preserved in a liquid such as water or oil. While it may save time and last longer, the flavour is substantially less intense and can even be bitter. The preservation process, including the use of citric acid, can alter the taste and smell of the garlic.
Powdered garlic, made from dried and ground garlic cloves, is another convenient option. It has a strong flavour but lacks the nuanced, fresh taste of fresh garlic. Powdered garlic is ideal for rubs, stews, dips, and sauces, where you want the garlic flavour to disperse evenly throughout the dish.
When making garlic bread, fresh garlic is the best choice for a more authentic, intense and aromatic experience. It adds a slight heat that jarred or powdered garlic cannot replicate. For the best results, combine fresh garlic with butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper, spread it on French bread, and top with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.
While jarred and powdered garlic have their advantages, fresh garlic is superior for garlic bread due to its bold flavour, aroma, and subtle heat. The extra effort of preparing fresh garlic will be rewarded with a more delicious and satisfying garlic bread.
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Olive oil can be added to the garlic butter
The bread should be sliced in half, and the garlic butter spread on top. French bread is often recommended for garlic bread as it has a crispy outer crust and a soft middle, which is perfect for absorbing the garlic butter. However, Italian bread is also a good option as it is crusty on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Other options include sourdough, leftover bakery hamburger buns, or even pizza dough.
Once the garlic butter is spread, the bread should be topped with cheese. A blend of different cheeses is often recommended, with Parmesan and Mozzarella being popular choices. These cheeses can be shredded or grated, and other options include provolone, muenster, Monterey jack, or Colby jack. The cheese should be sprinkled on top of the garlic butter, and the bread should then be baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden.
For an extra surprise ingredient, some recipes suggest adding mayonnaise, sugar, and scallions to the garlic butter. This adds a creamy texture and enhances the flavour. The bread can also be garnished with herbs such as parsley, chives, basil, or rosemary.
Garlic bread is a versatile dish that can be served as a midday snack or alongside pasta, soup, or homemade marinara sauce. It can also be frozen and enjoyed at a later date.
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Scallions, sugar, and mayonnaise can be added to the garlic butter
While garlic bread is delicious on its own, scallions, sugar, and mayonnaise can be added to the garlic butter to take it to the next level. Scallions, also known as green onions, add a savoury kick to the garlic bread, while a little sugar helps to balance the salty, garlicky flavours. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, adds creaminess and helps the bread toast to a perfect golden brown.
To make this upgraded garlic bread, start by thinly slicing two medium scallions. Set aside one tablespoon of the dark green parts for garnish. Next, mince five garlic cloves and add them to a bowl of softened butter. Add two tablespoons of mayonnaise, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, half a teaspoon of black pepper, half a teaspoon of granulated sugar, and a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt to the bowl. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
Slice a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and spread the garlic butter mixture onto the cut sides of the bread. For the cheese, grate three ounces of low-moisture mozzarella and three ounces of Parmesan cheese. Combine the cheeses and sprinkle them evenly over the garlic bread. Bake the garlic bread until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, which should take about 15 minutes. Finally, garnish the garlic bread with the reserved scallions.
While this recipe calls for French bread, you can also use other types of bread such as Italian bread, sourdough, or even leftover bakery hamburger buns. For the cheese, feel free to experiment with different combinations, such as provolone, muenster, Monterey jack, or Colby jack instead of mozzarella, and Romano or Asiago instead of Parmesan. If you want to add some herbs, try mixing in some fresh chopped basil and parsley, or a small amount of chives or rosemary.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheeses for garlic bread are mozzarella and parmesan. For the best flavour, shred or grate the mozzarella yourself and use real imported Parmigiano Reggiano.
French bread is a popular choice for garlic bread due to its crispy outer crust and soft middle, which is perfect for absorbing the garlic butter spread. Other options include Italian bread, sourdough, or even leftover bakery hamburger buns.
In addition to the cheese and bread, garlic bread typically includes butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include parsley, mayonnaise, scallions, sugar, and Italian seasoning.
To make garlic bread, first slice the bread in half lengthwise. Then, mix together butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture over the bread halves and wrap them in foil. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and sprinkle the bread with cheese. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
