French Bread Sticks GratinEe

° Serves 6

I find French bread sticks at my supermarket, and these long, narrow rolls are handy to have in the freezer in case you run out of bread or have unexpected guests. Before browning them, coat the bread sticks with olive oil and sprinkle them with Parmesan cheese and black pepper—the added flavor and color transform them.

• 6 packaged brown-and-serve French bread sticks (about 9 by 1½ inches each)
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Split the bread sticks lengthwise in half. Pour the olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet or a jelly-roll pan and press the bread sticks, cut side down, into the olive oil so they are well moistened. Turn them over and sprinkle the cut sides with the Parmesan cheese and pepper.

Bake the bread sticks for 10 to 12 minutes, until crisp and brown. Serve warm.

The addition of olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pepper turns these store-bought rolls into homemade.