Cheese Crostini

Ingredients

• 1/2  pound fresh mozzarella, diced
• 1  tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1  tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1/4  teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2  narrow loaves Italian or French bread, sliced into 12 slices each

Directions

1. For mozzarella topping, combine the mozzarella, oil, basil, and red pepper in a medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Arrange the sliced bread on 2 cookie sheets and bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly toasted, turning once. Spoon about 1 tablespoon mozzarella topping onto prepared toasts and bake about 3 minutes more or until cheese just begins to melt. Makes 24 appetizers.