Garlic Baguette with Aromatic Homemade Parsley Powder
Making Garlic Baguette with Freshly Grown Parsley
This recipe features aromatic garlic baguette, made by generously spreading a homemade parsley powder onto store-bought baguette. The parsley powder is easily dried using a microwave from fresh parsley grown at home. We’ll detail how to create this essential Italian herb powder, perfect for pasta and pizza, in your own kitchen. Homemade parsley powder offers a much richer aroma and more vibrant color than store-bought versions, and you’ll find it vastly superior once you try it. This recipe utilizes pre-made baguettes for ultimate convenience.
For the Parsley Powder- 500g fresh parsley (homegrown)
For the Garlic Baguette Sauce- 70g unsalted butter, softened
- 40g minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp honey (or sugar)
- A pinch of grated Parmesan cheese
- Adequate amount of homemade parsley powder
- 70g unsalted butter, softened
- 40g minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp honey (or sugar)
- A pinch of grated Parmesan cheese
- Adequate amount of homemade parsley powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, harvest the parsley you’ve been growing at home. Wash it thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth, ensuring as much moisture as possible is removed for easier drying.
Step 2
Arrange the dried parsley leaves in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for about 10 minutes, or until the leaves are completely dried out. Check periodically to prevent burning.
Step 3
Once removed from the microwave, the parsley will retain its vibrant green color and become wonderfully crisp. You should be able to crumble it easily with your fingers.
Step 4
Using the microwave for drying is significantly faster and more convenient than air-drying in the sun. It also ensures a cleaner process, free from dust or insects.
Step 5
Place the dried parsley leaves into a zip-top bag or a small bowl. Crush them using your hands, a rolling pin, or a mortar and pestle until they form a powder. You can also leave some slightly larger pieces for texture if you prefer.
Step 6
This homemade parsley powder will release a fresh, subtle herbal aroma, reminiscent of biting into a savory vegetable cracker, significantly enhancing the flavor of your dishes.
Step 7
Store the finished parsley powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness for future use.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the delicious garlic baguette sauce. In a bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, honey (or sugar), your homemade parsley powder, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly with a whisk or fork until smooth and well combined, ensuring no lumps remain.
Step 9
Prepare your baguette. Using a store-bought baguette makes this recipe wonderfully simple and quick.
Step 10
Slice the baguette into desired portions, about 1.5 to 2 cm thick. This size is ideal for spreading the sauce and for baking.
Step 11
Generously spread the garlic baguette sauce onto both the top and bottom surfaces of each baguette slice. Ensuring an even and ample coating will allow the flavors to penetrate the bread.
Step 12
For an added touch of sweetness, especially for children who enjoy it, you can add a tablespoon of condensed milk to the garlic butter mixture or spread it over the sauce before baking. The sweetness of the condensed milk complements the garlic and parsley beautifully.
Step 13
Coat each slice thoroughly with the sauce, ensuring a rich flavor in every bite.
Step 14
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 7 to 10 minutes, or until the baguette slices are golden brown and slightly crispy. Keep an eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
Step 15
These baguettes are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. If you need to store them, allow them to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container or bag to prevent them from becoming soggy due to trapped steam.
