Equipment
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 french bread, whole loaf
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 garlic, finely minced
- 10 g fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 g kosher salt
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit). Place a baking sheet nearby.
Using a serrated knife, slice the French bread loaf in half horizontally to create two long, even pieces.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are completely integrated into a smooth paste.
Use a spatula or butter knife to spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves, making sure to coat the bread completely to the edges.
Place the bread halves buttered side up on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), or until the edges are golden brown and the butter is fully melted and bubbling.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the bread rest for 3 minutes before cutting into individual slices with the serrated knife and serving warm.
Chef's Notes
- For a softer crust, wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil before baking. Open the top of the foil only for the last 3 minutes of baking.
- Do not use melted butter to make the spread. Softened, room-temperature butter stays on the surface of the bread and melts down into it during baking, whereas pre-melted butter immediately makes the bread soggy.
- If your garlic cloves have green shoots in the center, remove and discard them before mincing, as they can impart a harsh, bitter flavor to the finished butter.
- For an extra layer of savory flavor, grate 15 grams of Parmigiano-Reggiano into the butter mixture before spreading.
Storage
Refrigerator: 3 days — Wrap tightly in aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
Freezer: 1 month — Freeze unbaked or baked, wrapped tightly in plastic and foil.
Reheating: Wrap in foil and bake at 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10 minutes until warmed through.
