Southwest Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 8 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick)
• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 4 cherry tomatoes (to garnish, sliced into 4 slices each)
• 4 whole cilantro leaves (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired (I wouldn't leave out the cilantro for anything-it really makes this appetizer, for me)
• 1/2 cup shredded colby-monterey jack cheese (2 oz)

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Mix all ingredients except bread, garnish cherry tomatoes, whole cilantro leaves and cheese. Spread on one side of each bread slice. Sprinkle with cheese. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. 3

   Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is slightly toasted on bottom.

4. 4

   I like to half each piece of bread, then garnish with a piece of cilantro topped by the cherry tomato. And, sometimes I like to broil the tomatoes on and then garnish with fresh cilantro. Either way, the cilantro really makes everything come together.