Cheese Herb Garlic Bread (Printable Version)

Crispy bread loaded with herb-garlic butter and melty cheese combination that transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible treat.

# Ingredients:

→ Bread Base

01 - 1 loaf (about 450g) Italian or French bread, preferably day-old

→ Herb Butter Mixture

02 - 115g unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 60g fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 30g fresh chives, chopped
06 - 15g fresh oregano, chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Cheese Topping

10 - 50g grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 100g shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Finishing Touch

12 - Olive oil, for drizzling (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Ensure butter is completely softened at room temperature for about an hour or microwave in short bursts until pliable but not melted.
02 - In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine softened butter, minced garlic, all chopped herbs, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
03 - Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
04 - Slice the bread lengthwise into two halves. Optionally, score the bread surface with shallow diagonal cuts, being careful not to slice completely through.
05 - Spread the herb-garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the butter, followed by an even layer of shredded mozzarella. Optionally, drizzle lightly with olive oil.
06 - Place both bread halves on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. For extra browning, broil for the final 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
07 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly for 2-3 minutes before slicing into individual portions. Serve immediately while still warm.

# Notes:

01 - This quick bread transforms day-old bread into a gourmet side dish. The herb butter can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
02 - For best results, allow refrigerated butter to soften completely before spreading.

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