Monday, December 14, 2009

Tuscany Bread

One of the most popular appetizers at Uno's Pizzeria on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, the summer of 1995 was "Tuscany Bread". Folks ordered this, then I usually dropped their 20 lb Chicago style deep dish pizza in the kitchen, or had burn marks on my face from their sizzling plate of fajitas . . . but I do have good memories of the Tuscany Bread.


Take a baguette, slice into 1/4 inch slices, and lay flat on a baking tray. Baste with garlic butter (1/4 cup butter, 2-3 cloves garlic mashed into a paste with a little salt, heat, brush on bread). Bake bread at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes, until the bread is crisped.

Remove the bread from the oven and place a few leaves of baby spinach on each slice of bread, then a scoop of tomatoes (2-3 large tomatoes, remove seeds and juice, dice). Top with shredded cheese--Uno's used a blend of mozzarella and Muenster, but my family uses an Italian blend. Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly. To serve, squeeze a bit of lemon on each slice of bread and enjoy with a glass of wine. The kids enjoyed theirs with a glass of sparkling grape juice. And, sometimes we just make garlic cheese bread for them . . .

~Leslie