Crusty Garlic Bread: Homemade Delight!

Making crusty garlic bread from scratch involves baking your own bread and then transforming it into delicious garlic bread. Here’s a step-by-step easy recipe for baking a crusty loaf and turning it into flavorful garlic bread:

Step 1: Make the Bread (Basic Crusty Loaf)

Ingredients for the Bread:

• 3 ¼ cups (400g) bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (around 100°F or 38°C)

Instructions for the Bread:

1. Mix the dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring to form a rough dough.
2. Knead:
   • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 6 minutes.
3. First rise:
   • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the dough:
   • Punch down the risen dough, shape it into a round or oval loaf, and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a proofing basket.
5. Second rise:
   • Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a baking stone or an upside-down baking sheet inside to heat up, and place a small oven-safe dish of water in the bottom of the oven to create steam for a crusty finish.
7. Bake the bread:
   • Once the dough has risen, slash the top with a sharp knife and slide it onto the hot baking surface.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crusty. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
   • Let the bread cool on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Bread

Ingredients for the Garlic Butter:

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 4-5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) or 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or shredded mozzarella
• Optional: 1 tsp olive oil (for extra crispiness)

Instructions for the Garlic Bread:

1. Prepare the garlic butter:
   • In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt. If using Parmesan or mozzarella, mix it in for a cheesy garlic bread option.
2. Slice the bread:
   • Once your homemade bread has cooled slightly, cut it in half horizontally or into thick slices.
3. Spread the garlic butter:
   • Generously spread the garlic butter mixture on the cut sides of the bread.
4. Bake the garlic bread:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the buttered bread cut side up on a baking sheet.
   • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bread is golden and crispy on the edges. For extra crunch, you can broil the bread for the last 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve:
   • Remove the garlic bread from the oven and slice into pieces. Serve immediately while it’s hot and crusty.

Tips:

• Steam in the oven (using the water dish) helps create a crispier crust on your loaf.
• For extra flavor, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes or oregano on the garlic butter before baking.

This method of baking gives you a homemade crusty bread with a delicious garlicky twist—perfect for pairing with pasta, soups, or as a standalone snack!

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