Gratineed parmesan bites

MAKES 24 BITES

Party Parmesan Spread (recipe follows)

24 ½-inch-thick slices baguette, toasted

Preheat broiler. Place 2 teaspoons of the Parmesan spread on each crouton and spread about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange the croutons on a baking sheet and broil until golden brown on top, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm.

"Over the years, I received more requests for this creamy, cheesy spread than any other I prepared while at the White House," Scheib writes.

MAKES 1 CUP

1/3 cup homemade or best-quality store-bought mayonnaise

1/3 cup very finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion

1/3 cup finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (about 1 ounce)

Put the ingredients in a small bowl and fold together with a rubber spatula, but do not overmix or the cheese will become gummy and the onion will give off some of its liquid. At this stage, either use right away or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

From White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen by Walter Scheib and

Andrew Friedman

Nutrition facts per serving: 95 calories, 3 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 13 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 186 mg sodium, 1 g fiber