Cheesy Garlic Bread

By calypan

by Cook's Country

Ingredients

• 5 cloves garlic, grated
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon Table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 baguette (18- to 20-inch), sliced in half horizontally
• 1 1/2 cups cheese (shredded Italian blend)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook garlic, 1 tablespoon butter, and water in small nonstick skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until straw colored, 7 to 10 minutes.


2. Mix hot garlic, remaining butter, salt, and pepper in bowl and spread on cut sides of bread. Sandwich bread back together and wrap loaf in foil. Place on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.


3. Carefully unwrap bread and place halves, buttered sides up, on baking sheet. Bake until just beginning to color, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set oven to broil.


4. Sprinkle bread with cheese. Broil until cheese has melted and bread is crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bread to cutting board with cheese side facing down. Cut into pieces. Serve.