Name: Napoli’s Italian restaurant ( Lufkin Tx )s Garlic Bread Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 0.5 cups unsalted butter; 4 to taste garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbs fresh parsley, finely chopped; 2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese (optional); 0.5 tsp lemon juice; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 1 unit baguette or Italian loaf; 1 tbs olive oil (optional, for brushing); 1 cups mozzarella, shredded (optional for cheesy garlic bread)

Method

Garlic Butter

Soften butter

Remove butter from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes until soft enough to mash. If short on time, gently warm in a microwave-safe bowl in 5–8 second bursts until softened but not melted.

Prepare garlic and herbs

Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves (or use a garlic press). Finely chop the parsley. Measure out the Parmesan if using.

In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan (if using), lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork to mash and thoroughly blend until smooth and evenly mixed. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Bread & Baking

Preheat oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). If using a broiler for finishing, ensure the broiler element works and position the oven rack 6–8 inches from the heating element.

Prepare the loaf

Using a serrated knife, slice the baguette or loaf in half lengthwise to create two open-faced halves. Alternatively, for pull-apart style, cut the loaf crosswise into 1–1.5 inch thick slices without cutting all the way through the bottom so the slices stay attached.

Spread garlic butter

Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, evenly spread the prepared garlic butter over the cut sides of the bread. If you like extra crispness, lightly brush the crust edges with the optional olive oil. If making cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the buttered halves or into the cut slices.

Bake

Place the prepared bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil, buttered side up. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, until the butter is melted and the bread is heated through. If using cheese, bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 10–12 minutes).

Finish under broiler (optional)

For a golden, slightly charred top, switch the oven to broil and broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Remove as soon as edges are golden and cheese (if used) has brown spots.

Serve

Let the garlic bread rest for 1–2 minutes, then slice if you baked halves. Garnish with a light sprinkle of extra chopped parsley or Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.