Crispy Herb Bread is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that’s perfect for any meal. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or using it for dipping in your favorite soup, this bread is sure to be a hit. Follow our recipe to learn how to make it at home.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 loaf French bread, halved lengthwise
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
Baking Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine oil and garlic powder. Brush over the bread. Mix together thyme, marjoram, paprika and grated cheese. Place bread halves on a baking sheet; sprinkle with cheese and herb mixture. Bake in 425° oven for 7 to 9 minutes, until lightly browned. Cut each half into 5 slices.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time:15 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Olive Oil Escapade
One chilly evening, I found myself in my kitchen, staring at 4 tsp. of olive oil with a half-crazed gleam in my eyes. Why, you ask? Well, the story begins with a bet, a particularly complex loaf of French bread, and an insatiable desire to prove my culinary prowess to my cat, Mr. Fluffington, who looked on with a decidedly judgmental stare.
Garlic Powder: The Unsung Hero
In a small bowl, I combined the olive oil and 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder. As I watched the tiny granules disappear into the oil, I mused on the wonder of garlic powder. It’s always there, like a reliable friend, ready to punch up any dish with its potent punch of flavor. I brushed the mixture over the bread, which lay halved and naked on the chopping board, awaiting its flavorful destiny.
Herb Medley Mayhem
Next up was the herb mixture. Into a bowl went 1 tsp. of dried thyme, a 1/4 tsp. of dried marjoram, and 1/2 tsp. of paprika. A veritable herb party in my kitchen. I felt like a mad scientist, mixing together these potent spices. Then, I added the pièce de résistance – 3 Tbsp. of grated Parmesan cheese. I swear, the cheese laughed at me, daring me to sprinkle it over the bread. So, I did. Take that, cheese.
A Loaf’s Journey
I placed the bread halves on a baking sheet – or, as I like to call it, the bread’s chariot to crispy deliciousness. Following a brief, yet heartfelt, pep talk to the bread (yes, I talk to my food), I sprinkled it with the cheese and herb mixture. The kitchen was filled with the aromatic symphony of herbs and cheese. Even Mr. Fluffington seemed impressed.
The Oven Tango
Into the belly of the 425° oven the bread went, where it would dance the Oven Tango for 7 to 9 minutes. While waiting, I did an interpretive dance around my kitchen to pass the time. I like to think it added to the ambiance.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the bread emerged, lightly browned and smelling like a little piece of heaven. I cut each half into 5 slices. As I bit into the crispy, herb-infused masterpiece, the taste was a symphony of flavors – the rich olive oil, the punchy garlic, the aromatic thyme and marjoram, the smoky paprika, and the nutty Parmesan cheese.
Despite some minor mishaps (like the time I almost used cayenne instead of paprika), the result was nothing short of spectacular. Even Mr. Fluffington approved, as he licked his lips and meowed for a taste.
So there you have it, folks. The tale of an ordinary loaf of bread’s transformation into a crispy, herb-infused delicacy. And remember, in the game of baking, even the humblest of ingredients, like our friend garlic powder, can become the star of the show. Until next time, happy cooking!
