Toasted bread and mozzarella

(from culinarysarah’s recipe box)

This fast and easy dish made with ingredients that I always have at home pleases everyone. Mozzarella can be replaced with a Swiss cheese, such as Gruyere, or with Cheddar. Be sure to use a gratin dish or shallow baking dish large enough to hold the slices of bread in one layer without overlapping.

Source: Jacques Pepin, Fast Food My Way

Serves 4 people

Categories: small plates

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 16 slices from a baguette, each 1/2 inch thick
  • 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 slices
  • 16 garlic flakes, thin slices removed with a vegetable peeler from 2-3 cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 dozen whole oil-cured black olives, pitted

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees.

  2. Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil into a gratin dish or shallow baking dish, and spread evenly to coat the bottom of the dish.

  3. Arrange the bread slices on top in one layer, press to coat them on one side with the oil, then turn them over and arrange them again in one layer in the dish so that they are oiled on both sides.

  4. Arrange a slice of cheese and a garlic flake on top of each slice of bread, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.

  5. Bake the gratin for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top.

  6. Sprinkle the olives on top and serve.

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