appetizers · Breads · Daily Thoughts · Uncategorized

Parmesan-Garlic Bread

If you have been following me for any length of time or know me personally, you know by now that I never stray to far from whipping cream, butter or cream cheese. Well, whenever I see a new recipe that has one or more of these ingredients, they grab my attention. This weekend we were in a book store with some friends who are visiting from California. We mozied around the store (yes, with mask on and being sure that we did not get any closer than 6 ft, or almost 6 ft, I was never very good at math, so maybe it was only 4 or 5 ft, but no one sneezed on me and I was careful not to look anyone in the eye or smile underneath the mask. Who knows who I might have been smiling at even if they didn’t know it?) Anyway, there at the end of one aisle, were these Gooseberry cookbooks on sale for $3. I use to pay about $20 for them. So I grabbed a few for myself and some friends. (and yes, if you get one from me as a present, you now know your gift only cost $3, but it is the thought that counts).
Finishing rearranging the living room this morning, I sat down with my Diet Dr Pepper to get my heart beating back to normal and thought I would glance through the new cookbook. There on page 67 was this recipe that caught my eye. I had never seen a bread recipe that included whipping cream, and whipped at that. So of course I have to tell you about it. As soon as I get to the store to buy a loaf of french bread, this will be smelling up the kitchen, and adding another inch to my…well, you know where!

1/2 pt whipping cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
9 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 loaf French bread, sliced
paprika to tastes
*I will also add dried parsley flakes to the mixture because I love the little specks of green on French bread.

Whip whipping cream until thick; blend in mayo. Add garlic and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese; stir well. Slice French bread in half lengthwise; generously spread garlic mixture on each half. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and paprika. Place loaf halves on an uncreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for about 15-18 min until garlic topping is turning light golden. Cut into 1″ slices. Makes about 2 dz slices.

Uncategorized

Gathering Friends

A few years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a beautiful book entitled The Gathering of Friends, which I keep out at all times. Not only are the pictures on each page beautiful, but the recipes themselves are recipes that just speak the word “home” when you read them,. At the front of the book on the first page it reads, “When someone comes to your home and sits at your table and breaks bread with you, your relationship is forever changed.”

I reread that this morning while searching for this recipe and it was a gentle reminder that as the fall season approaches, while gathering pumpkins to grace decorated tables or gathering just the perfect recipes to set before our families, I want to set a goal to gather more than material things. As time goes faster and schedules get more hectic. let’s take some time to “gather a new friend” and add them to our lives. The food, the decorations and the house will be so much sweeter.

Taken from The Gathering of Friends…

One of our favorite breads to have with soups and salads is Parmesan Toast. It is quick and easy and tastes great no matter what season you serve it.

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 loaf of French Bread

Slice bread to desired thickness. Blend the mayo, butter and Parmesan. Spread on bread slices and broil till golden.