Caprese salad, a classic Italian dish, consists of thick slices of fresh mozzarella and tomato layered with basil leaves, then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic. The ingredients are typically arranged on a large platter and served served family-style. It’s one of my favorite warm-weather treats! For a fun twist, we decided turn the appetizer into individual portions and came up with this Bite Size Caprese Skewers recipe.
Fresh mozzarella, made from buffalo milk, is soft, creamy and mild. The cheese is formed into balls and packaged in water. For our skewers, we opted for mini mozzarella balls, then paired them with juicy cherry tomatoes for an adorable bite-size treat. Next, we drizzled them with balsamic reduction. Balsamic, a dark, rich, slightly sweet vinegar, originated in Modena, Italy. The vinegar really enhances the flavor of tomatoes and mild cheese. And it’s super-easy to turn it into a glaze. Simply simmer on the stove for a few minutes until the liquid thickens up. The result is a delicious intensely flavored syrup that clings to the tomatoes and cheese. To finish, we combined chopped basil with olive oil and seasonings, then poured it over the skewers. It’s the quintessential summer (or anytime) salad on a stick!
Want more fun ideas with tomatoes? To turn your salad into a meal, try this easy variation on caprese. Have extra tomatoes on hand? Check out this clever tip on how to store them long after tomato season is over.
Yields
Total Time
Prep Time
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil + additional leaves
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 24 fresh cherry-size mozzarella balls
- 24 cherry tomatoes
- 24 cocktail skewers
Instructions
PrintIn pot over medium heat, bring vinegar to boil. Cook until syrupy, 5–7 min. Let cool. In bowl, mix oil, 2 Tbs. chopped basil, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper; stir in mozzarella and tomatoes; thread onto skewers. Arrange on platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Garnish with basil leaves.
Nutrition
- Calories: 201 kcal
- Fat: 15 gram
- Saturated Fat: 7 gram
- Protein: 8 gram
- Carbohydrate: 8 gram
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
- Sugar: 7 gram
- Sodium: 230 mg