Crostini, with Avocado

INGREDIENTS

1/2 loaf of french or crusty bread
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

8 oz mozzarella, cut to 1/4 inch thick slices
fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
1 large avocado, cut to 1/4 inch thick slices
20+ cherry tomatoes, halved
balsamic vinegar

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Cut the bread into 1/2 inch thick pieces.  Set evenly spaced on a baking sheet.
 
3.  In a bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Slather each piece with the mixture.

4.  Add a slice of mozzarella to each piece of bread and bake in the oven for about 10 - 15 minutes.

5.  Remove bread from oven and place on a large serving plate.  Sprinkle the basil on top of each piece.  Add a slice of avocado and several tomatoes to each piece.  Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over each piece.  Serve as an appetizer or a meal.

Crostini, Greek Style

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 loaf french bread

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
20 cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Cut the loaf of french bread into 1 inch thick pieces.  By making the cuts vertical you increase the length of the piece.  Set slices aside on a baking pan.

3.  In a bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano.

4.  Slather each side of the french bread pieces with the olive oil.  Bake for five minutes.  Remove the pan from the oven, turn the slices over and add the goat cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes and feta.  Bake for 15 more minutes.

This crostini uses goat and feta cheeses, so do not over bake to get the crumbled cheese to melt or you might burn the bread.  The cheeses will come out of the oven hot and very soft.