Garlic Spread For Bread: Silky Texture in 20 Minutes

Instructions:

1. Mince your 5 cloves of fresh garlic. Note: Using a microplane grater can make this even easier and creates a paste that blends seamlessly. If you are using a whole head of roasted garlic, squeeze the soft cloves out of their skins and mash them with a fork before adding to the mix.
2. In a medium bowl, combine your 1/2 cup of softened butter and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Mix until the mixture is pale and completely smooth. This usually takes about 2 minutes of vigorous stirring with a fork.
3. Add in the minced garlic, mashed roasted garlic, and 1/4 cup of chopped parsley. Note: Fresh herbs are always better, but if you must use dried, reduce the amount by half. Stir until the aromatics are evenly distributed.
4. Fold in the 1/2 tsp of sea salt, 1/4 tsp of black pepper, and 1/2 tsp of dried oregano. Taste a tiny bit on a piece of bread to see if you need more salt.
5. Add the 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir just enough to combine. You want the cheese to stay somewhat distinct so it can create little toasted pockets in the oven.
6. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice your bread of choice lengthwise or into thick rounds. Spread the mixture generously from edge to edge. Don't be stingy!
7. Place the bread on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is bubbling. If you like it extra crispy, you can pop it under the broiler for the last 30 seconds, but watch it like a hawk!
8. Remove from the oven and let it sit for just one minute before slicing. This allows the butter to settle so it doesn't all run off the bread the moment you cut into it.