Our herb garden is going crazy this year. I am not complaining because I love fresh herbs, but I am having a hard time keeping up. Our basil plants are especially out of control. I’ve made several batches of pesto, but every time I walk outside it looks like I haven’t touched the plants. They are growing like weeds.
I am always looking for new ways to use up our basil, so when I saw Jenna’s recipe (TK member kitchenlovenest) for Basil Butter Garlic Bread, I knew I had to try it. I love regular garlic bread and this version looked even better. The garlic bread gets jazzed up with basil butter and Parmesan cheese.
To make the bread you will need: ciabatta or French bread, butter, olive oil, basil, parsley, garlic, green onion, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
First, combine all of the ingredients, except for the bread and cheese, in a food processor.
Process until smooth.
Season basil butter with salt and pepper, to taste.
Cut the bread in half using a bread knife.
Spread the basil butter generously over each half of bread.
Put the bread halves together and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Remove the bread from the oven and carefully separate the bread halves. Sprinkle each half with Parmesan cheese.
Return the bread halves to the oven and turn up the heat to 500 degrees F or put them under the broiler. Cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cut the bread into slices and serve warm.
We made the bread for a pizza party and everyone loved it. It was the perfect appetizer. The basil butter is full of flavor and the perfect addition to garlic bread. The melted cheese on top also makes this bread extra special. If you are looking for a way to spice up traditional garlic bread, try this Basil Butter Garlic Bread. It is easy to make and out of this world delicious. Thanks Jenna for helping us use up our garden basil. We love this bread! Visit her blog, Jenna’s Everything Blog, for other tasty recipes.
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Description
Garden overflowing with basil? Look no further for a recipe that will use a generous handful!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces, weight Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 bunch Basil Leaves (generous Handful)
- 1 bunch Parsley (use 1/3 Of The Amount Of Basil)
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 whole Green Onion
- 2 pinches Salt To Taste
- 1 pinch Pepper To Taste
- 1 loaf Ciabatta Or French Bread
- 1-½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (up To 2 Cups)
Preparation Instructions
1. Combine all the ingredients except the bread and cheese in a food processor, and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cut open the loaf of bread and spread both halves with the basil butter. Put the halves together and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake for in a 400ºF oven for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the bread, separate the halves and load them up with Parmesan cheese. Return them to the oven and either crank up the heat to 500ºF or put them under the broiler.
4. Cook until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to get brown. Serve!
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Maria and her husband Josh (who she affectionately refers to as her “dough boy”) blog at Two Peas and Their Pod. They’ve been featured on Saveur, Eatocracy, Gourmet Live, Glamour, and the Los Angeles Times, to name just a few. We’re so glad to have them here!
24 Comments
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Quest for Delish on 11.21.2011
this looks so good. Thanks for sharing.
Aggie on 9.14.2011
This looks so seriously good…I could eat a whole loaf by myself
chiko on 9.13.2011
This bread looks amazing! I love basil and garlic combination
Stephanie on 9.12.2011
I will totally make this & I predict it will be delicious! I also predict I will have massive amounts of green stuck in my teeth. Therefore I will not make it for company.
jlojohnson93 on 9.11.2011
I tried this last night and it was OH – MY – LORD- DELICIOUS!!! I added a few other things I had just laying around. Now, all I can do is think of different ways to use this delicious butter!
Lisa on 9.11.2011
Thank you so much for this recipe. I have fresh basil growing outside and was not sure how to use all of it. I made it last night and it was a big hit. I used wheat ciabatta and Brummel & Brown butter spread. Didn’t even miss the extra calories. With all the fresh herbs and flavors, it still was GREAT.
Mimi on 9.11.2011
I made this last night to go with the spaghetti and meatballs we were having. It was so yummy. My husband commented again this morning how good it was. So easy to whip up especially with 6 large basil plants growing on my deck.
Rachel on 9.11.2011
Made it last night, with basil from my garden. Easy and so yummy!
Rivki Locker on 9.10.2011
What a wonderful looking bread. I can almost smell it, looking at those photos. Great use for the last of the basil.
Jiffy on 9.10.2011
This is the time of year I make & freeze herb butters for fresh summery taste all winter.
Jean F on 9.10.2011
Oh my ever-loving gravy. That is a foodgasm waiting to happen!!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet on 9.10.2011
basil! butter! bread! swooooon!
Mel B on 9.10.2011
This looks great! Can’t wait to try it on my homemade ciabatta. I also make pesto and freeze it in ice cube trays and throw them in a plastic baggie so I have pesto all winter and spring until I can harvest fresh again. The cube size is also great for one person to have a couple on some left over pasta for a lunch or to throw one or two in a pot of minestrone soup in the middle of winter. MMMMM! I LOVE BASIL!!!! Lol
ac007 on 9.10.2011
This looks so good!!
Ann on 9.9.2011
This looks absolutely delicious! A tasty twist on the classic! Wonderful!
Paula P. on 9.9.2011
Yum! This looks incredible and arrives at the best of times. My Goddaughter is spending the weekend and is on a green food only phase so this will work well with the spinach spaghetti I’m planning for dinner tomorrow night. Thank you!
Yogamama on 9.9.2011
Not too many photos stop me in my tracks, thanks for the recipe!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef on 9.9.2011
woohooo yeah jenna! this bread is so good
Heather on 9.9.2011
Absolutely the perfect bread. No question!
Katrina on 9.9.2011
This is brilliant! I love basil in everything but have never thought about adding it to garlic bread. Yum!
Jodie (www.allgoodinmommyhood.com) on 9.9.2011
That looks phenomenal. I just made meatballs this week and this would have been a perfect side item!
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions on 9.9.2011
You can never go wrong with a crispy buttery bread!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh on 9.9.2011
Dear Basil in my backyard…you are so in for it!
kitchenlovenest on 9.9.2011
So glad you liked it, Maria! Thanks for the shout-out!