Garlic bread is just bread topped with garlic butter or olive oil and sprinkled with herbs like oregano, parsley, chives or basil.  Topped with cheese for a cheesy garlic bread, it is then grilled, toasted or baked in an oven or even on a stove top and enjoyed with any pasta dish or with a soup.  Called Knoblauchbrot in German and Chpon in France where is it served with a salad.  In Greece onions and olives are used for garlic bread.   A rather modest and unassuming dish but loved by young and old!

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 Loaves French Bread, or 1 large baguette
• 1 whole head garlic
• 4 to 6 tbsp. butter, or as required
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Fresh or dried parsley
• Olive oil

Cut off ¼” from the tail of the garlic head.  Dip the cut side into olive oil and apply some all around.  Wrap the garlic tightly in aluminium foil an place cut side down on a metal tray and bake in an oven for 1 hour. 

Take one garlic head and squeeze the base which will push the roasted garlic pearls out of their skins.  Discard the skins.  Transfer the garlic flesh to a small (dry) grinder, add the butter and pulse till butter and garlic are creamy and smooth.

Cut the French loaf horizontally in two and apply the garlic butter.  Cut into desired pieces and play on a baking tray.  Sprinkle chopped parsley over the bread, if using dried, crush with your fingers and sprinkle over the bread. At this stage you can pre-prepare and wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze and bake when required and just before serving.

Bake in a moderate oven for 8 to 10 minutes till edges are golden.  For cheese garlic bread, sprinkle some mozzarella or freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.  Serve with any past of your choice or Lasagna or a hot soup.

Make the garlic bread just before serving for best results, although they can be made ahead and grilled just before serving.

TIP:

1.Roast several garlic heads and store in the refrigerator for couple of weeks.

 2.When using your oven to bake any food, take the opportunity to roast several heads of garlic so you have them at hand when required.