Jenni's Easy-Cheesy Garlic Bread

When I worked as a family helper before I got married, part of my responsibilities included preparing the occasional dinner for the three boys of the family before their parents got home.  They had different tastes – one preferred to eat Ramen all the time, another loved to add about half a pound of Tillamook cheddar to his quesadilla for an after-school snack.  But one thing that won them all over was a garlic bread recipe I invented with what I had on hand.  I still use the basic components for garlic bread today with the only variation coming from what kind of cheese or herbs I put in.

This tastes so much better than most store-bought garlic breads which can taste kind of mushy and pasty – after slathering it with the garlic infused oil and butter, you broil the bread for a couple of minutes to get the top nice and crisp.  The browning comes from the cheese in the mix.

Jenni’s Easy-Cheesy Garlic Bread

1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup butter

1/2 tsp dried herbs of choice (or 2 tsp. fresh) – I like basil (optional)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 loaf French bread (I like the one from the Walmart Bakery the best – it’s big and soft, and doesn’t get too crunchy from broiling)

In a small glass bowl, combine the butter, olive oil, salt and pepper, and minced garlic, as well as herbs if you’re using them.  Microwave until the butter is melted.  Let sit for 5 minutes or so to allow to allow the garlic to infuse into the oil and butter.

Turn the oven on to broil.  Split the French bread loaf horizontally lengthwise.  With a pastry brush or a spoon, spread the garlic mixture over the surface of each half.  Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes (be careful with this part!  I’ve burned one or two loaves this way) until the mixture is lightly browned and the cheese is bubbly.  Remove from the broiler and cut into slices.

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