Toasted Prosciutto and Mozzarella

So this recipe is one of my favorites. Even though it's so simple, it's one of those really special dishes because it carries sentimental value for me.

The night John proposed, he spent hours preparing a meal for a picnic on the beach...or so I thought. Turns out, he spent all those hours sizzling every last clove of garlic, so that I would think he was making dinner. He was giving me all this time to get ready, and I thought, we're going on a picnic 2 blocks away on Lake Michigan, why do I need to get dolled up or bring my camera?? (Ahem, John!)

Anyhoo, when we got there he had everything! Citronella candles, plastic wine flutes (and wine!), fresh cherries and pears, sweet treats, and prosciutto and mozzarella over sliced baguette. Now I kept pushing for that meal he had made, but suddenly he admitted it was to throw me off so we could wait for the fireworks. Too bad I got cold, took his jacket, and felt the ring in his pocket and foiled his plans!

Ahh, oh well. It was still one of the best nights of my life, and this meal will always have a warm place in my heart because of it. :)

Oh and PS: While this is an awesome appetizer I often eat it as my whole meal...Four (or five...) of these bad boys and I'm good to go. Yummm. 


Ingredients:
*1 french loaf baguette
*sliced prosciutto
*fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
*olive oil
*salt and pepper

Preparation:
*Turn your broiler on (mine is automatically set to turn on 500 for broil).

*Slice the french loaf on a slight diagonal. The slices will be just a bit bigger this way

Option 1: (Crispier bread with room-temperature prosciutto and cheese)
*Brush bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Place in the oven for about 3 minutes until crisp and golden.

*Pull apart a few slices of prosciutto, using about half as slice (or more) for each piece of bread. Place a mozzarella slice on top.

*Serve with olive oil to dip.

Option 2: (Softer bread with warmed prosciutto and cheese)
*Brush the bread slices lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with half a slice (or more) or prosciutto. Place a mozzarella slice on top.

*Place in the oven for about 3 minutes, until cheese is softened and almost melted.

*Serve with olive oil to dip.

I did a combination of my two options - some warmed some just over toasted bread. Both delicious just different. When warmed the prosciutto has a stronger taste than when room temperature.

Out of the oven!

Look at that cheese!