Side Dish - Buca's Garlic Bread

I always really enjoy making copycat recipes at home. There's just something about being able to make a dish that compares to something you have had on a night out. Today's recipe does not disappoint, after recently visiting Buca di Beppo for my sister's birthday.

I can honestly state that this recipe is really close to the original, with the added bonuses of easy preparation, inexpensive ingredients (if you're like me you have them all in your pantry and fridge), and a mere 15 minutes from start to finish. It really is a delicious accompaniment to your favorite pasta or Italian style dish.

This recipe comes from a great book called Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3 by Todd Wilbur. If you'd like to enjoy a restaurant meal at a fraction of the price, you will love Todd's books. He has several out, including a low-fat version (complete with recipe for Cinnabon rolls!!). The website above is pretty cool too, as it has loads of free restaurant knock off recipes under the "recipes" tab.

Buca's Garlic Bread

Ingredients:
-1 loaf Italian bread (we used a loaf from Sciortino's Bakery here in Milwaukee. Groppi's carries these and lots of other delicious Italian bread!)
-1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
-6 cloves garlic, sliced thin
-3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese(omit if you want plain garlic bread, use this for the cheesy version!)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Slice bread in half through the middle (lengthwise)
Spread half of the butter on the face of each half of the loaf.
Place 3 cloves sliced garlic on each half of bread, covering the entire face of the loaf.
Sprinkle half of the Parmesan over each half.
If you would like a loaf of cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella on each half of the loaf.
Bake 10-12 minutes on a baking sheet until the top begins to brown. Slice and serve!

*Note: We cut the recipe in half and only used half a loaf of bread. You can use the other half to make it again another day, or for another use.