Baguette Garlic Bread Recipes

BAGUETTE GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Slice baguette's (or French Bread) into 1/2" slices. (Cut on the diagonal).
• Heat olive oil in small skillet or pan. (Don't get smoking hot or it will burn the garlic.).
• Add the finely minced garlic cloves and cook very quickly. Not over 20 or 30 seconds, watching closely so you don't burn. (I strained out the garlic but Ina Garten didn't when she made her garlic bread).
• Brush baguette slices with the olive oil and put on a baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Bake in oven for 8 - 12 minutes or just until they are lightly browned.
• To freeze: Prepare up to the point of brushing the bread with the garlic oil. Place on a baking sheet, put in freezer and freeze until firm. Remove from freezer, wrap well in plastic wrap and then foil. Label and return to freezer.
• To serve: Unwrap and place on baking sheet. Proceed with directions and bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until hot through.
• NOTE: I used the smaller portions given for my baguettes but you may need more if using a loaf of French Bread.

HERB GARLIC BAGUETTES

Steps:

• Put 3 1/4 cups flour, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic and salt in bowl.
• Mix using dough hook (s) until well blended, scraping bowl if necessary.
• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.
• Continue mixing on slow speed and slowly add yeast mixture and cold water.
• If dough is sticky you may add up to 1/4 cup extra flour, a little bit at a time.
• If dough is too dry you may add a little extra water.
• Continue mixing until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place (70° to 80°F) until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• When doubled, turn out on a lightly floured surface and punch down several times to remove air bubbles.
• Divide dough in half.
• Shape each half into a 12 inch long loaf.
• Place loaves on a greased baking sheet.
• With sharp knife make 3 or 4 shallow diagonal slices on top of loaf.
• Combine egg and 1 TSP water, whisking until well blended.
• Brush top of each baguetter with egg mixture.
• Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Remove plastic wrap and brush top of each baguette with egg mixture again.
• Bake at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until loaves are deep golden brown.
• Remove and cool on wire racks.

GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, garlic, Parmesan and parsley. Add the salt and generously season with pepper. Set aside while you cut the baguette.
• Cut deep slits into the baguette, 1-inch apart - don't cut all the way through the loaf - and place the baguette on a large piece of foil. Using a teaspoon or an offset spatula, generously spread the seasoned butter inside each slit. Make sure to reach the bottom of the slit; don't be shy here.
• Wrap the baguette in the foil, place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the baguette from the oven and unwrap the top (leave the bread on the foil). If you're adding mozzarella, use the offset spatula or spoon to gently open each slit and tuck a piece of mozzarella in (it's O.K. if the cheese pops out from the top a little). Return bread to the oven and bake until crisp and golden on top, another 5 minutes. Slice with a serrated knife (or tear with your hands) and serve at once.