Broiled Cheesy Garlic Bread

I have a confession. I'm a carboholic. And I may have to seek counseling for this cheesy garlic bread. I mean, there's garlic bread and then there's THIS garlic bread. Ever since I came across this recipe years ago, it's the only garlic bread I'll make. The few extra steps are what hit this recipe out of the ball park. And I have another confession. I ate it for breakfast the next day too.

5 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 loaf of french bread, sliced in half horizontally
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheese of choice)

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400. In a small nonstick skillet, cook the garlic, 1 tablespoon of the butter and water over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is straw colored, 7-10 minutes. It is important to keep the heat low or the garlic will burn and turn bitter. The garlic should be lightly browned but not burned! In a small bowl, place the remaining 7 tablespoons softened butter and the salt and pepper. Mix in the hot garlic mixture and stir to combine. Using a rubber spatula, spread the butter mixture on the cut sides of bread. Sandwich the bread back together and wrap the loaf in foil. Place the wrapped loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and turn the oven to the broil setting. Sprinkle the bread with the shredded cheese. Broil until cheese has melted and bread is crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a cutting board and slice into angled pieces and serve.

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