Recipe: Crostini with assorted toppings

Crostini, or "Little Toasts" in Italian, can be topped with your favorite toppings and make the perfect appetizer.

• French stick - day old
• Olive Oil
• Garlic clove halved

Slice bread into 1/4-inch pieces. Brush sides of the bread with olive oil. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes until golden but not browned. Remember to turn slices over to color both sides. Brush slices with garlic as soon as they are taken out of the oven. Cool on a wire rack before topping with your favorite combinations.

Crostini can be made a couple of days ahead - store in an airtight container and just refresh in a warm oven if they have become stale.

Suggested Toppings:

• Spread cream cheese and top with smoked salmon and caviar.
• Spread basil pesto and top with ham and slices of tomato
• Spread sun-dried tomato pesto and top with fresh or smoked mozzarella
• Spread your favorite pesto top with a slice of goat cheese
• Spread cream cheese combined with blue cheese and top with chopped toasted walnuts
• Spread cream cheese and top with roasted peppers
• Spread with mango chutney and top with salami and thinly sliced pickles or cucumber