For 60 plus years, our family has made this probably not very authentic, but absolutely delicious Parmesan Toast.
Ready for the broiler.
Mom called it Garlic Bread, but as years passed and I grew up, I came to realize hardly anyone else made Garlic Bread like this. So, a new and unique name evolved: Parmesan Toast Garlic Bread.
We make it out of almost anything we have on hand, from Italian bread to any odds and ends. Hamburger buns, hot dog buns; just about anything is fair game.
This is not really a recipe, just more of a method, and is a great way to use bread that is leftover or slightly stale. We like to serve it with Italian food, or even with soups for lunch. Personally, if there is any left over, I’ll have a piece for breakfast! I try to make extra because someone will just want a piece randomly for a snack.
I suppose I’d have to say, this is comfort food to our family. I hope you’ll love it as much as we do!
5 seconds in the microwave; an indentation should be easy to press in.
Make sure to use softened butter. About five seconds in the microwave will usually do it. Melted butter doesn’t work in quite the same way, but if you’ve gone too far with the butter, it will be ok in a pinch.
Parmesan Toast Garlic Bread
Parmesan Toast Garlic Bread
Ingredients
The amount of ingredients depends on how much you are making:
- Italian bread, sliced on diagonal, about 1 to 1 1/2: thick
- 1/4 stick of butter (for four slices) softened
- garlic powder to taste
- Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup for four slices) enough to cover the top of bread
Note: almost any bread will work, including bread that is slightly stale. Leftover hot dog or burger buns work, too.
Instructions
Mix softened butter with garlic powder or garlic salt to taste. Spread on bread – whatever you have on hand. A loaf of French or Italian bread, cut on the diagonal will need about 3/4 stick of butter, so that will help you judge how much to make for smaller or larger amounts.
Sprinkle with cheese – here is one case where we actually like the canned cheese – it’s nutty and gets a gorgeous brown color, but if all you have is really good Parmigiano-Reggiano, that would work in a pinch:).
Place directly on top oven rack (or you could use a cookie sheet, but a rack is better; some bread on a cookie sheet will collect moisture on the bottom) and broil for several minutes. Leave the oven door open an inch or two, and watch like a hawk – it takes seconds to go from golden brown deliciousness to slightly burned.
How long it takes really varies with the type of bread you use and how far it is from the broiler. Usually three or four minutes does it.