Grilling bread in a cast iron skillet is a great way to achieve a crispy exterior and a warm, toasty interior. Here's how you can do it:
Preheat the skillet: Place the cast iron skillet on your stovetop over medium heat. Allow it to preheat for a few minutes until it's hot.
Prepare the bread: Slice your bread into desired thickness. You can use any type of bread, such as baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough.
Oil the skillet: Lightly brush or drizzle the preheated skillet with a small amount of cooking oil or melted butter. This will help prevent the bread from sticking and add flavor.
Place the bread in the skillet: Carefully place the bread slices in the hot skillet. You can add as many slices as can fit comfortably without overcrowding the pan.
Toast the bread: Allow the bread to toast on one side for a couple of minutes, or until it develops a golden-brown crust. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Flip and toast the other side: Use a spatula or tongs to flip the bread slices to the other side. Toast them for an additional couple of minutes until the second side is also golden brown and crispy.
Optional toppings: If desired, you can add toppings like garlic butter, olive oil, or grated cheese to the toasted side of the bread while it's still in the skillet. Allow the toppings to melt or warm slightly.
Remove from the skillet: Once both sides of the bread are toasted to your liking, remove the slices from the skillet using a spatula or tongs and transfer them to a plate or serving platter.
Serve and enjoy: Grilled bread can be served as a side dish, used for sandwiches, or as a base for bruschetta or crostini. Enjoy it while it's warm and crispy.
Grilling bread in a cast iron skillet adds a delicious smoky flavor and crisp texture to your bread, making it a versatile and tasty addition to various meals and recipes.