Under the Broiler

These are quick and easy little items that can be served up for one or for many.

Hint
Oven: Place some tinfoil on the lower rack in the oven to catch drips and crumbs
Toaster Oven: Place tinfoil on the slide out bottom tray where it can’t touch the element.

How to:
In a conventional oven move one of the racks to the topmost position. Turn the oven setting to broil. Turn the temperate setting to broil or hottest temperature. During the broiling process the oven door should remain open slightly. Most ovens have a door position that allows for this.

Basic Recipe:
Toast one side of a slice of bread under the broiler.
Slice up your favorite cheese.
Turn the bread over and lay cheese on top. Stay inside the lines to keep the cheese from dripping.
Place bread cheese slice up on the rack.
Broil until cheese starts to melt. It will run off the side if you leave it too long.

Variations:
Bread: Try different kinds of bread or buns
Cheese: Try different combinations of cheese. Cheese tastes very different when it is melted. Yum!
Meats: Try adding some cooked bacon or ham. Pepperoni might be nice.

Bruschette:
Cut up a tomato into small chunks. Be sure to remove the seeds.
Crush a small ½ clove of garlic.
Cut up a little green onion.
Mix these ingredients with a little olive oil.
Tear up a fresh basil leaf or sprinkle a little dry basil and mix in.
Toast the bottom of the bread you are using: French stick.
Turn bread over and cover with the mixture.
Return to the broiler and heat until bread starts to turn brown.
Remove and serve.

Tuna Melt
Mix a can of drained tuna with a little mayonnaise, diced celery, salt and pepper.
Toast one side of bread under broiler.
Spread tuna mixture on other side.
Place a thin slice of tomato on top and some shredded cheese.
Return to the broiler and heat until bread starts to turn brown
Remove and Serve.