Baguette Slices with a Savory Cheese Spread

This recipe is for a quick-to-make Savory Steakhouse-style cheese toast made with baguette bread. This recipe does not use garlic; it uses only grated Parmesan cheese, powdered cheddar, and butter. With garlic, the cheese flavor is masked and overpowered. This recipe is simple and produces a highly robust, savory flavor. It is kept in smaller portions using baguette slices.

The small bread slices are easy to arrange on a small side dish or the edges of a salad plate. The breads are small enough to plate a few on the main dish without crowding it. The small, toasted baguette slices with a light sprinkling of parsley show well and can complement beef, chicken, pork, fish, or pasta dishes.

Notes about cheddar cheese powder. Several options include taking a pack out of a Kraft Mac-N-Cheese box or buying bulk cheese powder. There are cheese powders that are white cheddar, which will slightly change the appearance of the toast. You can add some color with a small amount of paprika. Keeping the paprika on the sparse side is advisable to prevent a burnt look and any off flavors. Most Mac-N-Cheese powder mix is typically colored orange.

Both the grated Parmesan and cheddar powders have salt, so there is no need for additional salt, and unsalted butter should be used. The grated Parmesan cheese and powdered cheddar cheese are processed cheeses used to make steakhouse-style breads and other savory dishes.

Ingredients for Savory Cheese Baguette

·         5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened.

·         5 tbsp, grated Parmesan cheese, premade.

·         1 tsp Powder white cheddar cheese

·         1 tsp dried Parsley flakes

·         1/8 tsp paprika (optional, for color)

Instruction for Savory Cheese Baguette Bread Slices

1.      Using a bowl and the back of a spoon. Cream together; butter, Parmesan cheese, and the cheese powder.

2.      Slice the baguette on the diagonal into about one-inch-thick pieces.

3.      Arrange the baguette sliced on a rimmed baking sheet.

4.      In a 400°F pre-heated oven, using the center rack, cook the slices for 6 minutes.

5.      Remove the baking sheet with the slices from the oven and set the oven to broil.

6.      Spread about 2-3 tsp of the butter and cheese mixture evenly into each hot baguette slice.

7.      Using the center rack, broil the baguette slices for 1-2 minutes. Pay close attention to the broiling process to not overcook. The edges of the bread should be nicely browned.

8.      Garnish with the parsley flakes.

 Makes about 10 baguette slices.