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These open-faced sandwiches with crisp asparagus, prosciutto and three layers of melted cheese are gooey and crunchy.

Total time

30 minutes

Servings

4

Ingredients

12 thin asparagus spears1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil2 large shallots, thinly slicedSalt and freshly ground pepper2 large plum tomatoes, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thickFour 3/4-inch-thick slices of peasant or Pullman sandwich bread1/4 cup tapenadeFour 1/8-inch-thick slices each of Italian fontina, fresh mozzarella and Gruyere cheese4 very thin slices of prosciuttoAged balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Directions

1) Bring a large skillet of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet.

2) Add the oil and shallots to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until softened, 4 minutes. Transfer the shallots to a plate. Add the tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned on one side, 2 minutes; transfer to the plate with the shallots.

3) Preheat the broiler. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet; toast in the broiler 3 inches from the heat, turning once, 2 minutes.

4) Spread the toasts with the tapenade and top with the shallots, fontina and mozzarella. Broil the tartines 3 inches from the heat for 1 minute, until the cheese has melted. Top the tartines with the asparagus and drape with the Gruyere. Broil the tartines for 1 minute longer, until the Gruyere has melted. Top the tartines with the tomatoes and prosciutto, drizzle with the vinegar and serve.

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