Garlic Bread

Well guys...this time I tried to make Garlic Bread from scratch.I baked my own bread and then made garlic bread out of it.

The heavenly aroma of freshly baked bread is so stimulating that I can hardly stop myself slicing the loaf even before it got cooled.Baking bread may seem like a daunting task but trust me I am no professional baker.If I can do it so can you!Although the process of fermentation may seem like a bit long but its totally worth it.

The dough I used for making this bread is multipurpose.It can be shaped into long and skinny baguette,crusty oblong Italian loaf.Your imagination is your limit...

Ingredients(makes 2 loaves)

4 Cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1+3/4 cup lukewarm water
1/2 tsp salt
cornmeal for sprinkling

Method

In a bowl mix yeast with 1/4 cup of warm water and let it stand for 5 minutes till bubbles appear on surface.

Stir in 1 cup warm water and slowly add 2 cups of flour to form a wet spongy dough.Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to ferment at room temperature for 8-12 hours.The dough will triple in volume.

After 8-12 hours add remaining 1/2 cup warm water,salt and 2 more cups of flour to form soft dough.

On the work surface knead dough for 7-10 minutes sprinkling as little flour as needed to prevent dough from sticking.Dough will become smooth,moist but will remain still sticky to touch.

Transfer dough to bowl and set aside for 2 hours.

Divide dough into 2 halves and shape into oblong loaf about 10X3 inches.Place loaves on parchment covered baking sheet,cover loosely with wet towel and set aside at room temperature for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 degree F.

Sprinkle dough with water and bake for 30-35 minutes.The loaves will become hollow sounding when tapped on bottom and golden brown in color.

Place the bread on wire rack to cool.

Note: I used this loaf for making delicious garlic bread in another recipe

Garlic Bread

To me any Italian meals seem incomplete without Garlic bread.Whenever I go to Italian Restaurant,I eagerly anticipate the warm,delicious bread basket before meal.Garlic bread is pretty easy to make at home too.

Almost any bread can be used to make garlic bread,I particularly like Italian loaf or sourdough bread for it.

The variations of toppings one can do while making garlic bread are limitless. Some variations can be:

• Sun dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil leaves
  
• Mixture of provolone,sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese
  
• Shredded spinach and feta cheese
  
• Mushrooms,corn kernels and red pepper with a spritz of olive oil

Ingredients

1 Medium loaf - Italian bread or any bread of your choice

6 tbsp salted butter(at room temperature)

3 tbsp garlic paste

1 tsp dry Italian herbs

A pinch of red chili flakes

Method

Preheat oven to 450 degree F.

Cut bread loaf at a slant into medium thickness slices In a bowl mix softened butter,dry herbs,garlic paste and chili flakes.

With a blunt knife apply butter mixture onto upper surface of bread slices.

Place bread slices into a baking sheet and bake for about 5-7 minutes till bread crisps up and gets slightly brown on top.(If topping with cheese,bake till cheese melts).

Serve hot with your favorite pasta or pizza or just relish it alone.