Mary's Garlic Bread

This recipe comes from The Garlic Lovers' Cookbook published by Celestial Arts of Berkeley, California. The book births from the town of Gilroy, California which has a yearly Garlic Festival. I am not quite sure how this book made it into my kitchen, but I can tell you that it falls open to page 60. No occassion is complete without this bread, its aroma wafting through the laughter. I highly recommend you add this cookbook to your collection.

Mary's Garlic Bread
Recipe contest entry: Mary Mozzone, Gilroy, CA

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
5 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed
3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 large loaf French bread, cut lengthwise

Mix all ingredients in bowl and spread on bread. Wrap in foil and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Unwrap and brown slightly under the broiler.

Mary's note: "The Gilroy merchant who developed this recipe adds mayonnaise, cheese and herbs to her garlic butter mixture to achieve a fabulous flavor.

Marion's notes:

• In order to get the best health benefits, use fresh ingredients.
• Substitute wheat for white bread! See properties of wheat below.
• Make sure you are using real unsalted butter. Lots of information recorded below.
• My husband says he triples the garlic! It will melt in your mouth!
• Next time we bake this, I will photograph and add to this post.

 A few post notes regarding some of the ingredients.

• Garlic: contains the chemical allicin which gives it the characteristic taste and smell. Eating garlic is proven to lower the blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce toxins (consequently stress). It is an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifugal as well as a mood booster.
• Parsley: is very high in vitamins B12 and C
• Oregano: another powerful antioxidant and has antibacterial properties
• Wheat bread:  The whole grains have properties of fiber which speeds the passage of food through your colon, holds water which is beneficial in the colon, and lowers cholesterol. Unrefined wheat grains will also be a source of Vitamin B complex, a vital health energizer, and Vitamin E, an antioxidant.
• Real butter: is a natural product that has been around since the earliest of recorded time. When we read about it in the Bible, the implication is that it is a good thing. Granted, consume in moderation, but when doing so, enjoy it!

Abraham, on the plains of Mamre, serves butter to angels in Genesis 18:8 (KJV) "And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat."

It was sent to King David and his people to eat. 2 Samuel 17:29 (KJV) "And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."

Here, butter is served before the royalty: Judges 5:25 (KJV) "He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish."

As Julia would say, Bon Appétit! M