5 Quick & Delicious Ways to Serve Bread

Forget what those no-carb naysayers think. We still say it's the perfect accompaniment to any meal ... sliced bread. But this tasty treat can be so much more. Stash the butter and knives and prepare to turn that warm crusty loaf on its head.

1. Tiny Toasts  Make your next salad really come alive by whipping up your very own homemade gourmet croutons. Chop up a loaf of bread (sourdough works great) into small cubes. Drizzle with scented oil (truffle, garlic, or basil), dried parsley and a touch of salt then place them in the oven until they're slightly golden brown and crispy. Delicious!

2. Tasty Toppings  Whip up a delectable appetizer or side dish by slicing bread into 1-2 inch thin pieces. Lightly toast under the broiler, then spread with your favorite dip whether it's hummus, chopped olive tapenade, or roasted peppers.  Or, create your own basil pesto (basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil blended together to medium thickness), then top off with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley garnish. 

3. A Dip's Best Friend  Forget the tortillas and make your own chips to go with that guacamole and salsa.  Slice the loaf into very thin pieces, spray with a touch of olive oil, then bake them until they're light and crispy.

4. Soup It Up  Turn that bread into a bowl by cutting off the top of a small, round loaf and scooping out the insides. Warm it up then fill with your favorite soup whether homemade or out of the can. The best part is digging into it after soaking up all of the flavors of the soup.

5. A Slice Of Sweetness  Start with an airy French baguette, sliced thinly or a slice of any kind of white bread. Place a square of rich, dark chocolate on each slice and toast under the broiler until the bread is golden and the chocolate has melted. After one bite, you'll never want to eat anything else!