Garlic Butter (for bread)

One word: AMAZING!!!

This has been a specialty that I have perfected over the years. It started out as a basic garlic butter but us being garlic freaks (I mean, we canNOT use too much) and other small flavors we have finally achieved perfection.

No, really. We have.

• 2 sticks of butter
• 1 tbs garlic powder or to taste
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 c. parmesan cheese, grated

First thing first, set the butter out to soften. Don't let it sit all day, but let it sit for a good while. Also whatever you do, resist the urge to zap it in the wave because you don't want it melted. Also margarine just isn't good enough for something so amazingly good. Can you use it? Yes. Is it still good? Admittedly yes. Is it as good? HECK NO!

In a medium bowl, stir together garlic powder, basil and cheese. Add butter and gently mix until well blended.

This will make enough to evenly spread over a large one pound loaf of Italian bread. Not those skinny sub looking kinds of breads, but those nice oval shaped ones that are, oh I don't know, about sixteen inches long.. Just slice the bread lengthwise and spread half of the butter on one side and other half on the other side. It's fairly soft to spread so do it like you're frosting a cake.

Then you just brown it in the oven and enjoy!

Many times, if I forgot to pick up Italian bread, I just put it on the table and we eat it as a spread on regular sandwich bread.

TIP: Brush some olive oil on the underside of the bread before browning. It just adds even more yumminess!