Cheese Bread Gratin
What a great bread to go with soup or salad, or as a light meal on its own!
Now this one goes way back…..to when I can’t precisely recall…..but I think it was around in my childhood. I’ve made it many times over the years and everytime wonder why I don’t make it more often. This is one quick and easy recipe that is a “Wow-er” every time! The “cheese” in the name comes from the abundance of cheese, the bread from the base and the “gratin” from the French term, meaning to broil to create a crisp cheesy topping.
In the spirit of bringing this recipe up to date, I made a few changes that just serve to intensify the flavors and create a bit more complexity. But there’s nothing complex about making it and no doubt that you will intensely want to be sure to mark it as a favorite!
Cheese Bread Gratinee
1/2 cup soft butter
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar, at room temperature
2/3 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tab. dried parsley)
1/3 cup finely chopped green onions including white tops or fresh chives
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 cup cooked diced bacon (optional)
1 large baguette or french bread
--In food processor or mixer, combine butter, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, green onion, garlic powder, mustard and black pepper until smooth. Add cheddar cheese and bacon, if used, and mix in, briefly.
-Place rack in middle of oven. Heat oven on low broil setting..
-Slice bread in half horizontally and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread cheese mixture over bread with a spatula, smoothing it evenly to cover the surface of the bread.
-Place on middle rack in oven for 8 - 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into portions and serve immediately. Serves 8 - 10
Mix ingredients in food processor or mixer. Spread thickly on bread.
Broil 8 - 10 minutes until browned and cheese is melted.
One more picture - doesn’t it look glorious and it’s so quick and easy to make!
