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Replace crackers with these homemade toasts, and serve with soups, salads, or your favorite toppings.

What You'll Need
1 baguette (about 10 ounces)
6 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper

To Make Crostini
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut baguette on the diagonal into thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Brush both sides of bread slices with oil. Arrange slices on 2 baking sheets; season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

2. Bake until slightly dry on top, about 6 minutes. Flip slices, and continue baking until crisp and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes more. Let cool. Makes 60 toasts.

Variation
After flipping the bread slices (in step 2), sprinkle tops evenly with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

First Published: December 2004