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.

Breads · Daily Thoughts · Salads

Wedge Salad With Tarragon Buttermilk Dressing & Crunchy Garlic Bread

One of my favorite days of the month is when my Paula Deen magazine arrives. I tend to save sitting down looking through it, for when I can sit with any type of chocolate or dessert , a glass of tea (sweet of course) and quietness lurking in the room, with no television or radio. It is just my way of “getting away” from daily thoughts and it seems that by the time I finish, I stand up with a smile on my face and a new determination to try new recipes. Don’t you just love that about cooking magazines? They just inspire us to get out of our comfort recipes of meatloaf, chicken casseroles and store bought salads.

If you enjoy cooking magazines, I would like to recommend Cooking with Paula Deen…it has the most fabulous recipes. Haven’t tried one I didn’t love! Pure Southern goodness!

When I turned the page and saw this delicious looking salad with crunchy garlic bread to go alongside, it drew me in. Randy and I love wedge salads, so this one will grace our table this summer.

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup mayo

2 tables chopped fresh tarragon

2 tables chopped fresh parsley

2 tables whole grain Dijon mustard

1 table minced green onion

1/4 teas black pepper

1/2 teas salt

2 heads iceberg lettuce, cut into 4 wedges each

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup sliced radishes

1 cup halved grape tomatoes

In small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and next 7 ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Top each lettuce wedge with carrots, radishes, and tomatoes; drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

Crunchy Garlic Bread

2 (16 oz) loaves Italian five-grain bread

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

2 tables minced green onion

2 tables chopped fresh parsley

1 tables garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400.

Cut bread into 1″ thick slices, cutting to but not through bottoms of loaves.

In a small bowl, stir together butter and all remaining ingredients. Spread butter mixture on cut side of each bread slice, being careful not to separate slices from bottom of loaves.

Place bread directly on oven rack.

Bake for 10 min or until bread is browned and crisp. Serve warm.