Homemade Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a staple for spaghetti in my house, almost like how ketchup is a staple for french fries. The delicious carb overload just makes the meal like no other type of bread can. Said to have been invented in the 1940's in American restaurants to accompany Italian food, I like to think of the romantic side of the bread... An italian woman in the 17th century, trying to make a lunch for her secret lover, finds that all she has in her garden is some olive oil, basil and garlic, with the loaf of bread freshly made that morning. The combination toasted in her brick oven is a match made in heaven as is she and her Lorenzo... at least that's what goes on my head.

This variation incorporates a little kick and has a flavor unlike any I've tasted before.

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter at room temperature

2 oz feta cheese (make sure this is the feta made from a cow and not the goat)

5-6 cloves of garlic minced

2 leaves of basil minced

1 loaf of french bread (preferably fresh)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut your french loaf in half length wise and set aside on a baking sheet.

3. Mix the butter, feta, garlic, and basil together until you have a good spread mix.

4. Lather on generously to both halves of the bread.

5. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes depending on how crispy you want it.

VOILA! or rather ... MANGIA!! 

Oh.. and for those health minded individuals, you can replace the butter with a fake butter like Smart Balance (or use olive oil) and use low fat feta cheese.