These crispy toasts are a staple of our kitchen. If you have a sandwich press, you can use it instead of the oven to toast the bread slices.

　　

Ingredients

makes 8 crostini

　　8 1/2-inch-thick slices from a bâtard, or fat baguette, or 4 slices from a large round of rustic white loaf, halved

　　Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing the bread

　　1 garlic clove

　　

Step 1

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F, or preheat a sandwich press.

　　

Step 2

Place the bread slices on a baking sheet, brush the tops with olive oil, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until they’re golden brown and crisp. Alternatively, brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and toast them in a sandwich press. Remove the crostini from the oven and rub the oiled sides of the crostini lightly with the garlic.

　　The Mozza Cookbook