No matter if you are having spaghetti, lasagna, or baked ziti, it is likely you will be looking to complete your meal with a crispy slice of garlic bread. Garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment to soak up the extra red sauce on your plate – you can’t beat a slice of bread infused with buttery garlic flavor. This delicacy is also often infused with cheese and herbs. But is there one specific type of bread that makes the best slice of this treat?
Garlic bread originated in the United States and it is a typical Italian-American dish. It probably originated after Italian immigrants started to use butter as a substitute for olive oil, which was uncommon in the United States in the first half of the 20th century.
Garlic bread, that wonderful amalgamation of crusty yet pillowy baguette, gobs of butter, and God, so much garlic, isnt actually Italian at all. Its a uniquely American creation, fully embraced not just by red-sauce Italian-American joints, but by freezer aisles and family-friendly restaurants across the country.
But in this recipe, the halves of the loaf are baked under foil for a while so that the garlic-infused butter and oil can seep down into the bread, and so the garlic on top can roast gently without burning. Only toward the end is the foil pulled off and the bread finished under the broiler—the loaf is cooked through at this point, and a blast of heat at the end ensures that shattering golden crust.Dress it up (if you want)
Many garlic bread recipes have you mincing the garlic, but lets face it: That means that you could end up with super-intense bits of undercooked garlic if your knife skills are anything less than stellar. Instead, this recipe asks only for finely chopped garlic. Then, a generous sprinkle of salt helps break down the garlic into a smooth paste as you mince and mash it with a knife.Go for butter and olive oil
Sure, there are a couple optional supporting players: a sprinkle of Parmesan, for instance, or a little fresh parsley. Your garlic bread will be fine without them. But it will be especially fine with them: the cheese for its aged umami funk, the herb for its bright pop of freshness. (And because it looks nice.) The whole melding of flavors is, in the end, quite agreeable. Because deep down, everybody still agrees on garlic bread.
The garlic bread we know and love is thought to have originated in the U.S. sometime in the 1950s, with Italian-American cooks creating something new with the ingredients on hand. And though Italian-food purists might object to the innovation, were pretty sure theyd still reach for a slice if we offered them one. After a few rounds of testing, the Epi Test Kitchen settled on a new favorite: this Gourmet recipe from a few years back. Heres why we prize it above all others:The garlic is intense, but not beyond our control
What’s the difference between garlic bread vs Texas toast? Is Texas toast the same as garlic bread?
Typically, garlic bread is made with breads that have a hard crust (e.g. French bread, ciabatta, baguette). Texas toast is made by spreading butter on both sides of a slide of bread and broiling or grilling it until it is light brown – sometimes garlic is added to the butter as well. Although made in a similar fashion to garlic bread, Texas toast has a soft crust and soft fluffy interior, more similar to sandwich bread you would buy at the store than the crunchy breads used in garlic bread.
Perfect Homemade Garlic Bread (3 Ways)
FAQ
Where is garlic bread originally from?
What is the difference between Italian and French bread for garlic bread?
Is garlic bread made from French bread?
Is garlic bread from the Old World?
Is there garlic bread in Italy?
Is there Garlic Bread in Italy [It’s a trap!] Growing up in Italy and later traveling abroad, I’ve encountered various dishes claimed to be “Italian” by other countries, yet they’re practically unheard of back home. Garlic bread stands out among them. We Italians are known worldwide as avid bread eaters.
What is garlic bread?
Rather, it’s an Italian-American dish that took inspiration from another popular appetizer: bruschetta. Garlic bread became popular in the mid-20th century; Italians began opening restaurants to serve their cuisine, including pizza and pasta, and garlic bread was a natural addition to the menu.
What is the Italian equivalent of garlic bread?
If you search for the translation of Garlic Bread, the Italian-language equivalent is “pane condito all’aglio” just “garlic seasoned bread”, and the only results you get are recipes for American Garlic bread. What to order at a restaurant in Italy instead of Garlic bread?
Why do Italians eat garlic bread?
That’s why dough in Italy usually tastes lighter and fresher than dough in the U.S. Plus, tomato sauce in Italy contains less sugar than it does in the United States. Despite being a staple of Italian menus across the U.S., garlic bread didn’t originate in Italy. In fact, it emerged when the U.S. held its nose at the stuff.