Easy Garlic Cheese Toasts

When that loaf of sandwich bread starts going stale, give it new life by making it a dinner side dish that goes great with everything from spaghetti to roast beef. Adjust the quantities in this recipe based on how much bread you have to use up.

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 15 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings

Half a loaf of bread, sliced (any type, but wheat and French work best)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced very finely
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/8 cup grated parmesan (optional)

1. Preheat broiler.
2. In a bowl, mix butter, garlic, and basil until it is smooth and spreadable.
3. Spread mixture over each slice of bread. If you are using regular-thickness sandwich bread, only a thin layer is necessary. Set the slices butter-side up on a cookie sheet.
4. Sprinkle cheese over the top of each slice.
5. Set the sheet under the broiler (in the middle rack of the oven) for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and the edges of the bread is crisp. Remove and serve while cheese is still hot.

Note
You can also make smaller batches of this recipe with only a few slices of bread and using a toaster oven instead of the broiler to save energy.