italian dunkers 

for the dunkers:

1  long loaf, soft French/Italian bread

butter, softened

garlic powder

your favorite toppings ( we like chopped mushrooms and black olives)

16 oz. grated Mozzarella cheese

for the meat sauce:

1 jar marinara sauce (your favorite homemade or store bought)

1 lb. lean ground beef

drizzle of olive oil

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Cut the loaf of bread into 12 thick slices. Arrange them on a cookie sheet. Butter each piece and then sprinkle a little garlic powder over all. Place a couple Tablespoons of your favorite toppings on each piece, followed by mounds of the shredded Mozzarella. Place in a 425 degree F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Cook the ground beef in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute (or until fragrant.) Add the sauce and heat through. ( Tip: Sometimes I get the last bit of sauce out of the marinara jar by adding a few Tablespoons or red wine, covering and shaking the jar, and then adding it to the rest of the sauce.) Cook until sauce is completely heated through and gently simmering.