Kicked Up Stuffed Garlic Bread

By á-174942

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French or Italian bread - (abt 22" long)
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Essence (see Bayou Blast recipe)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely-chopped parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
• 3/4 pound fresh mild or spicy Italian sausage removed from casing
• 1 cup thinly-sliced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup thinly-sliced green bell pepper
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Using a serrated bread knife, cut the bread in half lengthwise. Lay the two halves of bread cut-side up on the lined baking sheet.

In a small mixing bowl combine the butter, olive oil, grated Parmesan, Essence, garlic, parsley, and salt and mix well with a rubber spatula or fork. Spread the butter mixture evenly onto the two halves of bread. Place on the baking sheet and bake until just starting to get bubbly but not brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up with a large wooden spoon, until cooked through and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Add the onions, peppers, and red pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the sausage back to the pan, and stir well.

Spread the sausage mixture evenly over the bottom half of the French bread and cover with the top half. Wrap in aluminum foil and return to the oven to warm through and for the flavors to blend, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove bread from the oven, slice and serve immediately.

This recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.