Garlic Bread (Herb Toast) for a Crowd - FAST EASY CHEAP - 52 Church Potluck and Catering Appetizers or Side Dishes

This one may seem out of place on a food blog but I recently was making a BIG batch of garlic toast for a Church Spaghetti Supper.  We were working in teams, me at one station and another wonderful cook at the other stove.  She used her method, I used mine.  Not only was I finished several minutes ahead of her (Fast), but my "Bang Bang Bang" assembly line and baking method (Easy) eliminated a couple of her complicated and time consuming steps.  To my surprise, we each had identical amounts of butter and I used less.  So, Cheap as well!

I do have one catering tip.  When I make this and sell to clients, I always call this "HERB TOAST", Never Garlic Toast.  Seems folks are afraid of the word garlic and the lingering after taste (smell on their breath actually).   Early in my career, when I called this garlic toast I would have extras after the event.  Now, when I offer Herb Toast rarely leftovers and often people double up on the servings.

One final tip, you can make this a couple hours ahead of time, wrap in aluminum foil as soon as it comes out of the oven.  Keep this in an ice chest (no ice).  The trapped steam will keep the bread from getting hard and the ice chest (no ice) will keep warm for a couple of hours.

Just a few little tricks that will make this treat fast, easy and cheap!

OK... Here's what I did...

Set up an assembly line, melted butter, add seasonings, dip bread and bake...

Garlic Bread for a Crowd

Ingredients

• 1 Loaf French Baguette
• 1 Stick (1/2 Cup) Butter
• 1/4 Cup Tuscan Garlic Seasoning Mix (dried Garlic, Pepper, Herbes de Provence and Salt)

Cooking Directions

1. preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Slice the Baguette on an angle to increase surface area. Slices should be about 1/4 to no more than 1/2 inch thick.
3. Melt 1 stick of butter in a small saute pan. add the spices to the butter.
4. Dip each slice, only one side into the butter and set on a cookie sheet.
5. Arrange on the cookie sheet
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes to desired amount of toastiness.
7. Serve warm with pasta, top with just about anything to make an open face sandwich or just eat out of the oven... And ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Appetizers Recipes"!!!

From Dips and Salsas to everyone's favorite, Deviled Eggs; Appetizers will set the mood for something special. And make enough different ones and you have a Tapas Meal!

Links include Dips (Take a Look at the WORLD's BEST Guacamole recipe (and world's easiest to make), Salsas, Grilled Bites, Watermelon Art, and of course something with a spectacular presentation and taste... Take a look, something to match any occasion...

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This recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Church PotLuck Dishes"!

A list of something NEW worthy of being shown off at a neighborhood BYODish (Bring Your Own Dish) Party, a Family special occasion dinner, Any Big Holiday Gathering or of course that glorious day when you bring a dish to share with your Church family...

Ages ago, literally almost a half century ago I was listening to our pastor talking about a PotLuck Dinner. It happened to be scheduled around a church work day when we were expected to weed, polish and do general cleaning and maintenance around the church (you know, back in the day when there were no no-wax floors and church pews smelled of Old English furniture polish). I am of course paraphrasing, but as I recall the pastor said,

"A potluck, like a church requires work. At a potluck everyone is expected to contribute.. At a church no one should come empty handed and no one should leave unfed".

I will confess that in my youth I brought more store bought plastic spoons and forks than I ever brought covered dishes and crock pots of fresh made love and caring delights. But now that I have become a hobbyist cook, I occasionally am reminded of those days and people from my youth. I reminded and I do wish that I could drop a dish of some new creation on those old tables at my fondly remembered Liberty Baptist Church.  Tables covered with newspapers and loaded with God's bounty prepared with love and caring... Enjoy

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