Mini Caprese Bites

Photo: Sharon Burkey

Ingredients

8 Yield: Makes appetizer servings

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds*

32 (4- inch) wooden skewers**

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Preparation

Prep: 20 min. Grape tomatoes vary in size from week to week at the grocery store; some pints we found had only 24 while others had more than 40. Good news, you should still have enough mozzarella balls because they are generally sold in 8-oz. containers that have more than enough.

Kosher salt and pepper to taste1. Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving d ish.

Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.

Oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, may be substituted.

Wooden picks may be substituted.

Southern Living, MAY 2008