Jen's Den

This recipe is so simple it almost doesn't need instructions. It uses ingredients you're likely to have on hand in the pantry, plus a baguette one should always have in the freezer, and is a perfect quick solution for hungry drop-in visitors.

- 1 can (14-16 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small can chopped black olives
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)
- 1 sourdough baguette, sliced about 1/4-inch thick

Preheat the oven to 425 F.

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Lay out the slices of baguette on a cookie sheet. Spoon a dollop of the pizza mix onto each slice, pressing down slightly with the back of the spoon to spread the mix almost to the edges. (You may need to experiment with quantity - you don't want so much mix on each slice that it flows down over the edges when baked.)

Bake for about 5-8 minutes (watch them carefully the first time so you know how your specific oven cooks them). They're done when the sauce is bubbly and the bread slices are crispy around the edges and the cheese is melted. Some ovens may take up to 10 minutes.

Let cool a few minutes, then transfer to serving plate. Hide some in the kitchen for the cook, otherwise he or she won't get any once they leave the kitchen.

Experiment with your own ingredients - chopped artichoke hearts, mushrooms, fresh garlic, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, jack or mozzarella or whatever cheese suits you. Just be sure to chop all the ingredients fairly small so they mix thoroughly in the sauce.

Bon appetit!