Garlic Italian Bread
6 servings or 1 loaf
55 minutes (40 min prep, 15 min cooking)

Caution, if you are going on a date, then you will not want to have this beforehand!

Ingredients

3-4 cloves garlic, whole 
olive oil 
5 cloves garlic, minced 
3-4 tablespoons butter, softened 
1.5 to 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 
1tablespoon dried oregano 
1 teaspoon dried basil 
1 tablespoon parsley flakes 
salt, pepper,cayenne,to taste 
parmesan cheese, grated (optional) 
mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced or shredded (optional) 
1 loaf good Italian bread (even French bread will work well)

Preparation of Garlic Italian Bread

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Take a piece of foil and place whole garlic cloves in it, coating with a generous amount of olive oil.
3. Wrap tightly.
4. Bake until done, 20 min to 1/2 hour.
5. Cloves will be done when sweet smelling, soft and golden brown.
6. Split bread lengthwise.
7. Remove excess dough.
8. Mash roasted garlic with all other ingredients except cheeses.
9. Spread cut surfaces of bread with butter mixture.
10. Sprinkle with parmesan and layer bottom half with mozzarella.
11. Press halves together and wrap tightly in foil.
12. Bake at 350 degrees until outer crust is crispy and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
13. Let cool slightly and cut into thick horizontal slices.
14. I like it just as it is, crispy outside, moist and chewy (and slightly saturated!) inside, but you could bake this open faced on a cookie sheet for a crisper texture.
15. If you do this, put mozzarella on both sides.
16. You can make the garlic butter ahead of time and refrigerate it.
17. It's also to die for melted over hot pasta!