Traditional garlic bread, usually served alongside Italian cuisine, is often made with either butter or margarine. Substituting olive oil for butter can make your garlic bread a bit healthier. While olive oil contains slightly more fat and calories than the same amount of butter, the main type of fat found in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids, a heart-healthy fat. Butter and margarine contain more saturated and trans fats. A 1/4-baguette serving of olive oil garlic bread contains 113 calories, 2 g of fat, 22 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fiber.
Step 1
Peel 4 cloves of garlic and place them in a small saucepan with about 1 cup of boiling water. Reduce to a simmer and cook the garlic for 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 2
Drain the water and place the garlic in a mortar with 1 tsp. olive oil and a pinch of salt. Crush until the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
Step 3
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven heats, cut the baguette lengthwise, and spread the garlic paste evenly on each side.
Step 4
Place each half cut-side-up on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the top turns a golden brown. You can make softer garlic bread by placing the two halves back together and wrapping them with tin foil. Place the wrapped bread in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the bread from the oven when it's done. Cut it into slices with a bread knife, and serve it hot.
Tips and Warnings
- Jazz up your garlic bread by adding your favorite Italian herbs to the garlic paste. To make your garlic bread even more healthy, use a whole-wheat baguette instead of white bread.
- While olive oil is healthier than butter, it still contains plenty of calories, so consume it in moderation.
Things You'll Need
- 4 cloves garlic
- Small saucepan
- 1 cup water
- Mortar and pestle
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Baguette
- Bread knife
- Baking sheet
- Tin foil
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