Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the center.
• Slice the loaf of French bread horizontally into two even halves.
• Place the two bread halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine 1 1/4 sticks salted butter, melted; 5 cloves garlic, pureed or very finely chopped; 5 tablespoons bottled Parmesan cheese; and 1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley. Stir until well mixed.
• Generously brush the butter–garlic–Parmesan mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the garlic–Parmesan topping is golden and slightly crusty.
• Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then slice into pieces with a bread knife and serve warm.