Grilled garlic butter bread: The secret star of garden parties
Grilling is typically associated with meat and vegetables, but a simple trick can transform an ordinary baguette into the highlight of a garden party. The secret ingredient? Garlic butter. With a crispy crust, a slightly chewy centre, and the unmistakable aroma of garlic and herbs, garlic butter bread is irresistible.
When the grill is hot and the aroma of grilled meat fills the air, there's always that moment when you crave something to munch on before everything is ready. That's where my foolproof trick comes into action: a baguette with garlic butter, tossed straight on the grill. The delicate butter starts to melt, the garlic releases its aroma, and the bread turns golden and crispy. While it might appear unspectacular, this simple addition wins over every guest instantly.
Recipe for a baguette with garlic butter
Garlic butter and grilled baguette make a perfect duo. With simple ingredients, quick preparation, and remarkable results, guests often ask for the recipe and reach for more pieces. It's evidence that a small addition can take something simple and make it exceptional.
Ingredients:
- About 180 millilitres of double 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:
- Whisk the double cream at high speed with a mixer until it separates into buttermilk and lumps of butter; this 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 is it worth making your own butter for garlic butter?
Garlic butter and grilled baguette make a perfect duo. With simple ingredients, quick preparation, and an extraordinary result, guests often seek out the recipe and help themselves to more slices. It's proof that a small addition can transform something simple into something exceptional.
At first glance, making homemade butter might seem like unnecessary effort, but the result is well worth it. Freshly whipped butter has an incomparable taste and aroma — it's more delicate and creamier, without preservatives or artificial additives.
This makes it ideal for combining with additions like garlic or herbs, creating an incredibly aromatic and flavourful paste. The process of whipping the butter is also enjoyable and satisfying, especially when you realise you've made it all by hand.
A bonus? Homemade butter leaves you with buttermilk — perfect for pancakes, fritters, or as a refreshing drink.
