Super Cheesy Garlic Bread

I'm going to share my recipe for my very popular Super Cheesy Garlic Bread. This bread is soooo good but I must admit it is not the healthiest thing to eat. It will however put a smile on your face so it all evens out.

Ingredients
1 Loaf of Sweet or Sour Dough Bread
1 cp Parmesan or Three Cheese Blend (Parmesan, Romano, Asiago), shredded
1 stick Butter
1/2 cp Mayonaise
2 Tbls Parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cp Garlic, finely chopped or minced (or to taste)

Directions
Set oven to broil or 500º. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Cut loaf in half lengthwise and spread mixture thickly on both sides. Place on baking sheet with garlic spread facing up into oven for approximately 10 minutes or until mixture is melted and bubbly with slightly brown edges. Cut into thick slices and serve hot.

Strawberry French Toast

Surprise your sweatheart with a romantic breakfast! Set a fancy table with table cloth, candles and roses and stir up some Mimosas to celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved one.

Ingredients
1 egg
2 egg whites
1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
dash nutmeg
8 slices French bread
or Bolillos

Fresh sliced strawberries
2 tsp sugar or honey
Lemon juice
Powdered sugar

Directions:
In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and egg white until foamy. Whisk in milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Have warming drawer heated or heat oven to 200°.
Heat butter in heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Dip 4 slices of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat thoroughly. Let excess drip back into bowl.

Place coated bread slices in hot skillet. Cook, turning, until both sides are nicely browned, about 2 minutes each side.

Transfer to a warm plate and keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining bread and egg mixture.

Mix sliced strawberries, sugar and lemon juice together. Arrange French Toast on plate and place serving of strawberries on top, sprinkle with powedered sugar. If desired sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and warm maple syrup.

Darlene's Tips:
Old bread works better so your french toast won't be soggy.
Go to the bakery and purchase a loaf of white bread sliced thick.
Substitute peaches, bananas, rasberries or other favorite fruit.
Warm butter and syrup together in microwave prior to serving.

¡Buen Provecho!

Pan de Muerto

In celebration of Mexico's Day of the Dead, this bread is often shaped into skulls or round loaves with strips of dough rolled out and attached to resemble bones.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup water
* 5 to 5-1/2 cups flour
* 2 packages dry yeast
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon whole anise seed
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 4 eggs

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but not boiling.

Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar. Beat in the warm liquid until well combined. Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour. Continue adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky. Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until smooth and elastic.

Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape into loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with "bones" placed ornamentally around the top. Let these loaves rise for 1 hour.

Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and paint on glaze.
Glaze

* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
* 2 tablespoons grated orange zest

Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush.

If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.