Southwest Cheese Bread

Another recipe we enjoy from Betty Crocker's 1-2-3 Dinner These cheesy bread slices also make great appetizers. After baking, cut each slice into halves or fourths. Top each with a slice of cherry tomato and a piece of fresh cilantro.

• Ready In: 16 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 8  slices  French bread (1/2 inch thick)
• 1⁄4 cup light mayonnaise or 1⁄4 cup  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 (I wouldn't leave out the cilantro for anything-it really makes this appetizer, for me) or 1  teaspoon 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. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
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. Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is slightly toasted on bottom.
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.