Grilled garlic butter baguette: A garden party essential
Grilling is often associated with meat and vegetables, but a simple trick can elevate a plain baguette to the highlight of a garden party. All it takes is one ingredient: garlic butter. With a crispy crust, a slightly chewy centre, and a distinct aroma of garlic and herbs, it's hard to resist garlic butter bread.
When the grill is heated, and the smell of grilled meat fills the air, there's always that moment when you're craving something to nibble on before everything is ready. That's when my foolproof trick comes into play: a baguette with garlic butter, which I toss straight on the grill. The delicate butter starts to melt, the garlic releases its aroma, and the bread turns golden and crispy. It might sound simple, but this small addition instantly wins the hearts of guests.
Recipe for a baguette with garlic butter
Garlic butter and grilled baguette make a perfect duo. Simple ingredients, quick preparation, and an extraordinary result. It may seem like nothing special, but guests often ask for the recipe and reach for more pieces. It's proof that sometimes a small addition can turn something simple into something exceptional.
Ingredients:
- About 175 ml heavy cream (for the butter)
- 2–3 cloves of garlic, pressed
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (you can also add oregano or basil)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 baguette
Preparation:
- Beat the heavy cream at high speed with a mixer until it starts to separate into buttermilk and lumps of butter (the process takes a few minutes).
- Press the butter through cheesecloth or a sieve to remove excess buttermilk.
- Add pressed garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to the soft butter, and mix thoroughly.
- Slice the baguette diagonally or in half lengthwise, and spread the freshly made garlic butter on it.
- Place the baguette on the grill rack and toast for a few minutes, until the bread turns golden and the butter has melted beautifully.
Why make your own butter for garlic butter?
Garlic butter and grilled baguette make a perfect duo. Simple ingredients, quick preparation, and an extraordinary result. It may seem like nothing special, but guests often ask for the recipe and reach for more pieces. It's proof that sometimes a small addition can transform something simple into something exceptional.
At first glance, homemade butter might seem like unnecessary effort, but the result is worth it. Freshly whipped butter tastes and smells incomparable—it's more delicate, creamier, and free from preservatives or artificial additives.
It pairs perfectly with additions like garlic or herbs, creating an incredibly aromatic and flavourful paste. The process of whipping the butter is also quite enjoyable and satisfying, especially when you know you've prepared everything by hand.
An additional advantage? Homemade butter leaves you with buttermilk, which you can use for pancakes, fritters, or as a refreshing drink.
