Cheesy White Bean Toast

• Olive oil

• 1 small leek, white and light green parts finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 can white beans (cannellini are my favorite), drained and rinsed

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Red pepper flakes

• 2 thick slices of good crusty bread (recommend sourdough)

• ½ cup grated cheese (gruyere, jack, cheddar, mozzarella – anything that melts well)

Heat a large glug of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat for a minute, then add leek and garlic. Stir frequently to allow them to soften and brown without burning, about 5 minutes. Add in the white beans, then season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat.

Turn oven to broil on high.

Prepare your bread: brush each side lightly with olive oil, then place under the broiler for a minute or two to toast it according to your preference (if you like it on the crispier side, put it on a lower rack; if you like it mainly soft with just a few bits of charred pieces, put it on the top rack). Watch carefully so you don’t char it.

Once bread is toasted on both sides, spoon bean mixture on top then sprinkle with cheese. Broil on top rack of oven for another 30-60 seconds until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.