Citizens, garlic bread may be one of the most beloved recipes to ever grace the American table – the very act of breaking bread is a universal sign of fellowship and the addition of garlic makes it all the more wonderful!
Garlic bread (also garlic toast) consists of bread (usually a baguette or sour dough like a ciabatta), topped with garlic and olive oil or butter and may include additional herbs, such as chives. It is then either grilled or broiled until toasted, or baked in a conventional or bread oven.
It is typically made using a French baguette, or sometimes a sourdough-like ciabatta which is partially sliced downwards, allowing the condiments to soak into the loaf while keeping it in one piece. The bread is then stuffed through the cuts with oil and minced garlic before baking.
Alternatively, butter and garlic powder are used, or the bread is cut lengthwise into separate slices which are individually garnished.
Some variants are topped with a variety of cheeses, often mozzarella, cheddar or feta. Some restaurants use clarified butter in place of olive oil.
My version of this Italian-American classic recipe adapts from pretty much all of the above-mentioned traditions plus a few unique additions of my own. These include the use of dried wild thyme flowers from Greece, smoked chili flakes (also Greek) and a touch of optional black garlic powder. 🙂 The Greek ingredients may be ordered directly from here.
It has both simplicity and complexity in its unique flavor profile and should find great favor with you, your family and friends at your table. It brings the southern Mediterranean flavors you crave right to your taste buds!
This will be – without any equivocating or exaggeration – the finest version of any garlic bread you have ever sampled, ! I stake my personal credentials on this!
Battle on – The Generalissimo
PrintThe Hirshon Ultimate Garlic Bread
- Total Time: 0 hours
Ingredients
- 1 large baguette (about 12 oz.), sliced lengthwise
- 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp. Greek olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. Smoked red Bukovo chile flakes from Daphnis and Chloe (preferred) or a mix of 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika and 1 tsp. red flakes
- 3/4 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried Greek oregano from Taygetus from Daphnis and Chloe
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed into a paste
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. black garlic powder – if unavailable, skip or use regular garlic powder as you see fit
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- For garnish:
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped chives
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp. finely-crushed Wild Thyme flowers (preferred) from Daphnis and Chloe or finely chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Heat oven broiler. Place baguette cut side up on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Combine butter, oil, chile flakes, oregano, garlic, garlic powders, salt, and pepper in a food processor; spread evenly over cut sides of baguette and sprinkle with parmesan.
- Bake until golden and slightly crisp, 2–3 minutes. Sprinkle with chives, crumbled thyme flowers and parsley; cut into 2″ pieces.
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Category: Recipes
Nutrition
- Calories: 480.95 kcal
- Sugar: 4.21 g
- Sodium: 686.83 mg
- Fat: 26.61 g
- Saturated Fat: 12.58 g
- Trans Fat: 0.59 g
- Carbohydrates: 47.63 g
- Fiber: 2.69 g
- Protein: 14.37 g
- Cholesterol: 46.59 mg
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