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This zesty Calabrian chili garlic bread turns everyday meals into something special with its balanced mix of heat, garlic, and herbs. When roasted garlic meets spicy Calabrian chili, you get an amazing flavor combo that takes regular garlic bread to a whole new level.
I whipped this bread up for friends coming over when I wanted something impressive without spending the whole day cooking. My house smelled amazing from the garlic, and everyone was begging for my recipe before finishing their first bite.
What You'll Need
- 1 stick unsalted butter: left out to soften. Good butter really makes this spread extra delicious.
- 2 heads large garlic: Pick ones that feel heavy and have tight cloves for maximum flavor when they're roasted.
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil: Helps the garlic cook perfectly and adds a light, fruity background note.
- Kosher salt: brings out all the tastes. Its bigger grains spread nicely through the butter mix.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Gives a mild warmth that works well with the chili.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and basil: Fresh herbs add brightness and color you can't get any other way.
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese: add more if you want. Go for real Parmigiano Reggiano for the best taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste: This special Italian ingredient brings a fruity kind of heat.
- 1 french or sourdough baguette: Pick a fresh one with a crunchy outside and soft inside.
How To Make It
- Roast the Garlic:
- Set your oven to 400°F and let butter warm up on the counter. Cut the tops off your garlic heads so you can see the cloves, pour some olive oil over them, and add a bit of salt and pepper. Wrap them up tight in foil like a little package. Pop them in the oven for 40 to 50 minutes until they turn golden and get super soft. This slow cooking changes the garlic from sharp and strong to sweet and mellow.
- Cool and Adjust Oven:
- Take out the garlic and wait until it's cool enough to handle. Turn your oven down to 350°F to get ready for the bread. This lower temp helps the bread get crispy without burning while the butter melts just right.
- Prepare the Compound Butter:
- Put your soft butter in a small bowl. Toss in the fresh chopped herbs, parmesan, and Calabrian chili paste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze the cooled garlic cloves right out of their skins into your bowl. Mix everything together really well until you've got a pretty red and green flecked butter spread.
- Prepare the Bread:
- Cut your baguette into even slices about half an inch thick. Lay them out on a baking sheet with parchment paper underneath to stop sticking and make cleanup way easier.
- Apply Butter Mixture:
- Smear a good amount of your herby butter mix onto each slice of bread, going all the way to the edges. You want enough to make a tasty topping but not so much that it runs off during baking. Sprinkle some extra parmesan on top if you want for more flavor and a nice golden crust.
- Toast to Perfection:
- Bake your bread at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it toasts until the edges get crispy and golden while the middle stays a bit soft. The butter should be totally melted and bubbling slightly, with the cheese turning a light gold color.
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The first time I shared this bread, my Italian neighbor said it was better than his grandma's version! The trick is taking your time to really caramelize the garlic until it's deep golden, which brings out its sweetness and gets rid of any harsh taste.
Prep In Advance
You can mix up the flavored butter up to three days before you need it and keep it in the fridge. Just let it warm up to room temp before you spread it on your bread. You can even roll it into a log with plastic wrap and cut off slices as you need them. This makes hosting so much easier when you can do some of the work ahead of time.
Adjusting The Spice
Calabrian chili paste has this unique fruity quality with medium heat, but you can easily change how spicy your bread turns out. For a gentler version, just use 1/4 teaspoon of paste. If you love heat, go up to a full teaspoon. If you have to use red pepper flakes instead, start with just 1/4 teaspoon since they can be hotter without the same depth of flavor.
What To Serve It With
This garlic bread goes great with classic Italian foods like lasagna, spaghetti, or minestrone soup. The spicy kick works really well with creamy dishes too, since the heat cuts through the richness. For a fancy starter, serve smaller pieces alongside a meat and cheese board with aged cheeses and olives. In summer, I love having this with grilled veggies for an easy but impressive side.
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About Those Special Chilis
Calabrian chilis come from southern Italy's Calabria region, famous for its spicy food. These little wrinkly peppers have medium heat with fruity and smoky notes that regular chili flakes just don't have. In Italian cooking, they're loved for adding complexity, not just spiciness. The paste form keeps all these good qualities while being easy to use and store.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare the garlic butter early?
You bet! You can make the butter up to three days beforehand and keep it in the fridge. Let it soften back to room temperature before spreading. If freezing, roll it in plastic wrap to store up to a month, then thaw when ready to use.
- → What’s a good swap for Calabrian chili paste?
If Calabrian chili paste isn’t handy, try red pepper flakes for a simpler option. For a closer match, you can use harissa (only half as much), sambal oelek, or a mix of chili flakes with a pinch of sweet paprika to recreate the flavor.
- → What kind of bread works best?
A crusty French baguette or sourdough is best for this. Ciabatta, Italian loaf, or a hearty country bread will also hold up well. Choose something sturdy that gets crisp on the outside but doesn’t fall apart under the spread.
- → What’s the spice level of this bread?
With 1/2 teaspoon of Calabrian chili paste spread across a loaf, the kick is noticeable but mild. The peppers offer a fruity spice that’s flavorful without being overly hot. You can tweak the amount to suit your heat preferences.
- → Can I add extra ingredients to the spread?
Of course! This base spread is super flexible. Toss in items like chopped sun-dried tomatoes, lemon zest, capers, or even anchovy paste for an extra flavor punch. Play around with herbs or swap parmesan for cheeses like asiago or pecorino. Mozzarella on top? Why not?
- → What dishes go well with this bread?
This bread shines next to pasta, especially anything tomato-based like lasagna or spaghetti. It’s also great with hearty soups, stews, or as part of an antipasto platter. A simple green salad or a charcuterie board makes for a perfect pairing too.