Food

Garlic Bread Recipe

Garlic bread is a beloved side dish that elevates any meal with its aromatic, buttery, and garlicky goodness.

It perfectly complements classic beef meatloaf, pasta, salad, or soups. Making it home is super easy, and the aromas in the kitchen will bring you plenty of joy!

I love to keep this recipe simple and use just a handful of ingredients. However, I am a huge garlic lover, so I tend to use quite a lot of it! The combination of garlic and butter makes this recipe irresistible!

Ingredients:

For the Garlic Butter:

– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

– 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced (adjust to taste)

– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

– Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Bread:

– 1 loaf of French or Italian bread (baguette), preferably a day old

– Olive oil (for brushing, optional)

How to make Garlic Bread?

Choose the Right Bread: The foundation of excellent garlic bread is the bread itself. Opt for a French or Italian loaf, known for their crisp crusts and soft interiors. A day-old loaf works perfectly, as it soaks up the garlic butter without becoming too soggy.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature allows the bread to crisp up while the garlic butter melts and infuses into every crevice.
Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley (if using), a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust the amount of garlic to your preference – more for a stronger garlic flavor, less for a milder taste.
Slice the Bread: Using a serrated knife, slice the loaf in half horizontally, creating two long pieces. This allows for more surface area to spread the garlic butter.
Spread the Garlic Butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Ensure that every inch of the bread is coated for a flavorful bite.
Optional: Drizzle with Olive Oil: For an extra touch of richness and flavor, drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the garlic butter-coated bread. This also contributes to a crispier texture.
Reassemble the Loaf: Place the two halves of the bread back together, with the garlic butter sides facing each other, like a sandwich.
Wrap in Foil: Wrap the garlic bread in aluminum foil, leaving the top exposed. This helps the bread heat evenly and prevents it from drying out.
Bake in the Oven: Place the foil-wrapped garlic bread in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. The exact baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your bread, so keep an eye on it. The bread should be crisp on the outside and hot and aromatic on the inside.
Unwrap and Serve: Carefully remove the garlic bread from the oven, unwrap it from the foil, and let it cool slightly. Slice it into individual portions, and serve while it’s warm and fragrant.

Variations:

Cheesy Garlic Bread: For an extra indulgent twist, sprinkle grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top of the garlic butter before baking. The cheese will melt and create a golden, gooey layer.
Herb-Infused Garlic Bread: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, or oregano for added depth of flavor. Simply chop the herbs finely and mix them into the garlic butter.
Spicy Garlic Bread: Add a kick of heat by incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper into the garlic butter mixture.

Can I use any type of bread for garlic bread?

While French or Italian bread is the most commonly used for garlic bread, you can use other types of bread like baguettes, ciabatta, or even slices of bread. The key is to use a bread with a crisp crust and a soft interior.

How do I prevent the bread from becoming too soggy?

To prevent garlic bread from becoming too soggy, it’s essential to use a day-old or slightly stale bread. This type of bread will absorb the garlic butter without becoming overly mushy.

Can I make garlic bread with olive oil instead of butter?

Yes, you can make garlic bread with olive oil instead of butter. Simply replace the butter with olive oil in the recipe. This version is often referred to as “garlic oil bread.”

Can I make garlic bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare garlic bread ahead of time by following the steps up to the point of baking. Once you’ve assembled the bread with the garlic butter, wrap it in aluminum foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, bake it in the oven.

Can I freeze garlic bread?

Yes, you can freeze garlic bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator and then bake it in the oven until it’s heated through.

Food

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

Americans are revolting against McDonald’s and other fast-food establishments. This is harming French fry suppliers like Lamb Weston.

Lamb Weston, North America’s largest manufacturer of french fries and a significant supplier to fast-food chains, restaurants, and grocery stores, is closing a production facility in Washington state. Last week, the company stated that it would lay off almost 400 employees, or 4% of its workforce, and temporarily shut down manufacturing lines in response to falling customer demand.

Lamb Weston (LW) shares have plummeted 35% this year.

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

The potato giant is oversupplied at a time when demand is low. In recent years, restaurant prices have risen faster than grocery store prices, prompting shoppers to avoid fast-food establishments.

This move has had an impact on Lamb Weston because individuals are less inclined to prepare French fries at home. According to Lamb Weston, fast-food restaurants account for around 80% of all french fries consumed in the United States.

Fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, are offering bargain menus to entice customers back. McDonald’s has introduced a $5 meal that contains a McDouble cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, small french fries, four chicken nuggets, and a small soft drink. However, these promotions are not benefiting Lamb Weston because customers are purchasing fewer portions of fries.

“Many of these promotional meal deals have consumers trading down from a medium fry to a small fry,” Lamb Weston CEO Thomas Werner stated during an earnings call last week.

Lamb Weston did not immediately reply to CNN’s request for comment.

McDonald’s, Lamb Weston’s largest customer, accounts for 13% of revenue. As McDonald’s goes, so does Lamb Weston.

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

And McDonald’s is struggling. Sales at US restaurants open at least a year declined 0.7% last quarter compared to the same period a year ago, dragged down by fewer consumers visiting the brand.

Lamb Weston is also heavily exposed to other fast-food companies, according to analyst R.J. Hottovy of analytics firm Placer.ai, in a research note to clients last week.

Customer traffic to fast-food restaurants fell 2% last quarter and 3% the prior quarter compared to the same period last year, according to Lamb Weston.

SOURCE | CNN

Food

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

YouTube’s top stars have launched their competitor to Lunchables.

MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI are collaborating on a “groundbreaking new better-for-you lunch option” called Lunchly, combining all their goods into a single meal geared at their younger fans.

The all-in-one meal includes a bottle of Prime Hydration, a sports drink alternative founded by Paul and KSI that has grown in popularity; a Feastables milk chocolate bar created by MrBeast, a popular YouTube star with over 300 million subscribers; and one of three processed food options, including pizza, nachos, or turkey aand cheese with crackers.

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

“Our ultimate goal has always been to offer not only high-quality products, but also healthier alternatives,” Lunchly cofounder Logan Paul stated in a press release. He also stated that the school lunch industry has been “dominated by Lunchables” since he was a child, and that it is “time to provide a better option for those looking for a convenient, healthier choice.”

Lunchly promises to be “healthier” since Prime contains more electrolytes than a Capri Sun in Lunchables, and Mr. Beast’s chocolate bar contains less sugar than a Kit Kat or Crunch bar.

Lunchly’s launch comes after Lunchable, owned by Kraft Heinz, announced a huge initiative last year to participate in school lunch programs. However, the company had to reformulate the components first to guarantee that the items met regulatory rules, which included incorporating fresh fruit into their meals.

Consumer Reports reported in 2024 that it recently studied the nutritional profiles of two Lunchables kits supplied in schools and discovered that they contain significantly more sodium than the Lunchables kits available in stores.

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

Of course, KSI, Paul, and MrBeast know how to create brands, thanks partly to their devoted following. Despite government worries about the caffeine content of some of its drinks, Prime sales have risen, threatening industry leaders such as Gatorade and BodyArmor.

“Prime brings a youthful buying cohort that hasn’t had a lot pitched their way beyond traditional kids’ drinks,” Jeffrey Klineman, editor-in-chief of BevNet, previously told CNN. “Paul is significantly more intriguing to a 13-year-old than a juice box.”

SOURCE | CNN

Food

Beyond Soups and Stews: Unexpected Ways to Utilize Your 5 Litre Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are very popular cooking utensils for preparing soups, stews, and tenderising meats in quick time. However, their versatility and uses go far beyond these traditional uses.

If you’re trying to use your 5 litre pressure cooker differently, you are at the right place, as we are going to explore unexpected and creative ways to use this essential kitchen utensil.

Infused oils and extract

You can use your pressure cooker to prepare infused oils and extracts. To do that, you have to put the herbs, spices, or citrus peels in a jar filled with oil or alcohol. Then, seal the jar and cook under low pressure for a short time to infuse the flavours uniformly.

By this method, you can extract intense flavours in a quick time as compared to what it takes through traditional infusion methods. You can also experiment with combinations like rosemary-infused olive oil or vanilla extract for baking.

Artisanal Curd Making

You can use your pressure cooker to prepare yoghurt. To do that you have to heat the milk to a proper and specific temperature, and then cool it down before adding yoghurt culture. After that, keep the mixture in jars, seal, and ferment in the pressure cooker with the use of the yoghurt setting. And yes, after that, you will have creamy, homemade yoghurt at a much lower cost than store-bought varieties. You can add up your yoghurt, various flavours and toppings for a healthy breakfast or snack option.

Quick pickling

You can also prepare quick pickles using your pressure cooker. For doing that combine the ingredients such as vinegar, water, salt, and your choice of vegetables or fruits in the cooker.

Now, after that, cook under pressure for a few minutes to infuse the flavours rapidly.

Once it is done and cooled, your quick pickles will be ready to eat and enjoy, giving a taste of tangy flavour to sandwiches, salads, or charcuterie boards. You can do this using different spices and herbs to prepare unique flavour profiles for your pickles.

Steaming vegetables and seafood

You can use your pressure cooker’s steaming capabilities to cook vegetables and seafood very easily and quickly. To do that, you have to place a steamer basket inside the cooker, add water, and put your ingredients.

Then, after that, cook under pressure for a few minutes to keep the nutrients intact and also get the perfect tenderness. From crisp-tender asparagus to succulent shrimp, the possibilities of preparing the dishes are many. You can add different flavours using aromatic herbs, spices, and citrus zest.

Homemade bread and desserts

You can amaze your family with freshly baked bread and delicious desserts that can easily be prepared in your pressure cooker. To do that, use the cooker as a makeshift oven by placing a trivet inside and also adding water to it.

After that, you have to place your bread dough or dessert batter in a heat-proof container, cover it, and then cook under low pressure. In very little time, you will get tender bread or delicious desserts without even messing up the kitchen. You can also try various other recipes like chocolate lava cake or savoury herb bread for a delightful treat.

One-pot pasta dishes

You can easily prepare one-pot pasta dishes that are cooked perfectly in your pressure cooker. To do that you have to combine pasta, sauce, vegetables, and protein in the cooker, and also remember to check and put enough liquid for cooking. Then, seal and cook under pressure for a few minutes. This will allow the flavours to get mixed beautifully.

And with this, from classic spaghetti marinara to creamy Alfredo, your pressure cooker can do it all. You can enhance your pasta with your favourite ingredients and garnishes.

Conclusion on a pressure cooker

Cooking indeed is a creative method. Do justice to your creative culinary spirit with your 5-litre pressure cooker. Bake bread, make homemade yoghurt, and make several main dishes as well as side dishes using a wide pressure cooker.

Impress everyone and yourself! Make the best out of your culinary instincts.

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