This week it’s garlic bread from Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Ingredients
Compound Butter Garlic Bread Ingredients:
1 loaf supermarket Italian bread (or any kind of your choice)
1 stick lightly softened unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves
2 Tbsp finely chopped basil
2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Traditional Garlic Bread Ingredients:
1 loaf supermarket Italian bread (or any kind of your choice)
4 Tbsp melted butter
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp water
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
4 Tbsp refrigerated cold butter
Pan Cubano Garlic Bread Ingredients
480 g bread flour
7 g instant yeast
2 tsp sugar
55 g melted lard
300 ml room temperature water
12 g kosher salt
Cornmeal
1 stick lightly softened unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves
2 Tbsp finely chopped basil
2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Flaky maldon salt
Method
Compound Butter Garlic Bread Method:
Start by taking 1 loaf of fresh bread and cutting it in half.
Place 1 stick of lightly softened unsalted butter into a bowl. Use a garlic press to crush 3 garlic cloves and add them to the bowl. Then, add about 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped basil and parsley to the bowl. Finally, add a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Mash the mixture into a cohesive paste or otherwise known as compound butter.
Generously and evenly slather the compound butter on top of both halves of the bread.
For baking, use one of two methods. Sandwich your bread, wrap it in aluminum foil, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. This method will give you a crisp exterior and soft interior, but it might leave the garlic somewhat uncooked. Alternatively, bake the bread open-faced at 400°F for 7-8 minutes until the bread is crisp and the little chunks of garlic are starting to turn lightly blonde around the edges.
Traditional Garlic Bread Method:
Start by melting 4 tablespoons of butter. Then, use a microplane to grate 4 cloves of garlic and add it directly to the melted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds to mellow it back out.
Combine 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and water. Add the microwaved butter and fresh garlic mixture along with 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 4 tablespoons of refrigerator cold butter to re-thicken the butter mixture into a spreadable paste.
Cut 1 loaf of fresh bread in two halves. Spread the paste on top of each half by sort of placing a channel of it down the center of the loaf. Then, use an offset spatula to spread evenly.
Place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 450°F for about 4 minutes.
Next, flip your two halves and lightly compress them with another baking sheet. Place back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes. This will ensure that the cut side of the bread is exposed evenly to the heat.
Pan Cubano Garlic Bread Method:
Start by adding 480 grams of bread flour, 7 grams of instant yeast, and 2 teaspoons of sugar to a stand mixer. Whisk to combine.
Next, gradually add 55 grams of melted lard along with 300 milliliters of room temperature water to the mixing bowl as the dough comes together. Once the dough forms into a ball, add 12 grams of kosher salt. Knead on medium speed for about 10 minutes or until a firm but supple dough forms.
Pull the dough off of the dough hook and form it into a ball. Drop the ball into an oiled bowl for 1 ½ hours for its first bulk ferment. Cover it tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature until it has doubled in size.
After letting the dough sit, place on a lightly floured work surface and begin patting it out into a large rectangle or until you end up with the dimensions of 8 by 12 inches.
Begin rolling the dough up from the bottom and pinching and pressing to make sure that there are no bubbles. Pinch the seam underneath the loaf until you end up with a torpedo shape.
Place the dough onto a rimmed baking sheet that is dusted with cornmeal to prevent it from sticking and add a nice crunchy bottom of your final loaf. Cover with some generously oiled plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for another hour or until it has doubled in size.
Score the dough lengthwise across the top and bake in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and its thickest point registers about 200°F. Let it cool completely for about 3 hours.
Place 1 stick of lightly softened unsalted butter into a bowl. Use a garlic press to crush 3 garlic cloves and add them to the bowl. Add a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Mash the mixture into a cohesive paste.
Slice your bread in half and slather one half with the garlic butter and slather the other half with the garlic butter mixed with 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped basil and parsley.
Place both halves in a 450°F oven for about 4 minutes before being flipped and compressed with another baking sheet. This will toast the bread evenly and prevent the garlic from burning. Place back into the oven for an additional 6 minutes. Slice the breads and sprinkle a generous amount of flaky maldon salt on top.