Bread and Cheese Skewers (Rome)

Appetizers

Ingredients

Provatura or mozzerella cheese - 1 pound

Salt and pepper

Homemade bread, sliced

Melted butter - 1 tablespoon

Anchovy fillets - 4 large

Butter - 1/2 cup

Cut the cheese into medium-thcik slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut from the bread as many pieces as there are of cheese, plus 6 extra, all of the same size and thickness as the cheese. Thread the bread and cheese alternatively on to 6 skewers, beginning and ending each one with a piece of bread. Ideally these skewers are then placed over the embers of a wood fire, turned from time to time until brown and slightly smoked. Alternatively, use a baking dish deep and wide enough to allow  the skewers to rest on the sides  without bread or cheese touching the bottom of the dish. Bake in a moderately hot oven (400F) for 15 minutes, or until bread is lightly toasted and the cheese has softened and begun to melt. Baste from time to time with melted butter.

While the crostini are cooking, chop the anchovies and mix with the remaining butter. Cook this gently in a small frying pan until the anchovies have dissolved into the butter to make a sauce.

Arrange the crostini in a heated serving dish and pour the hot anchovy butter over the top.

Serves 6