From Spatula Diaries—Need a summer appetizer? Start with grilled bread

The barbecue pit is getting a serious workout this time of year. While it’s fired and ready, add slices of fresh crusty bread to produce an easy and flavorful summer appetizer. Brush half-inch slices of your favorite dense bread lightly with olive oil and place them directly on grill grates over medium heat. Watch carefully. After a minute or two, you should have achieved a golden brown color and—most importantly—nice char marks. Then, flip the slices and brown the other side. Remove from the grill and rub one side of each slice with a peeled clove of garlic for an extra layer of flavor. Arrange the slices on a tray with your favorite toppings. Check out Maggie Heyn Richardson’s suggestions for grilled bread toppings in this week’s edition of Spatula Diaries here.