You’ve probably seen these before. I know I have. I don’t know where, but I know that when I saw them I wanted to make them. I was having company over last weekend and I didn’t know what to make because I didn’t know who was eating what and we usually end up with so much food. I decided I would do these as an appetizer and supply the dessert and the company could bring the rest. Worked out great! 🙂 As I said I had remembered seeing these before, but didn’t bother to look them up because I thought I could figure them out. I did, but as I sat down to write this I thought I would give it a quick look-see. I should have looked before I made them because, of course, there are much better ways to present them shown on the internet. Mine were ok, and I will probably do it again, but I do like the swishy drizzle. Not that I could ever accomplish that. I tried to drizzle and the new thing from Costco that is on the balsamic vinegar, just dripped it all over the plate. I gave up and used a spoon. Anyway . . . here is a quick and yummy appetizer. Caprese salad or as I am calling these Caprese Bites.
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Caprese Bites
A tub of mozzarella balls
two tubs of grape tomatoes
a bunch of basil
balsamic vinegar
salt
Drain the mozzarella and let it dry out a little bit. Wash your basil if you desire, then let it dry a bit. Wash the tomatoes and let them dry. Then cut the mozzarella balls in half. Sprinkle the cheese with salt. Then decide the order. I had cheese-tomato-basil. Then stick a tooth pick through the cheese, then the tomato, then a basil leaf. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with a little salt.
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So, I made these last weekend. I didn’t take a picture. I had leftover cheese, so I made them again for this post. I salted the cheese the second time I made these. Then I salted the entire “bite” after I drizzled on the balsamic vinegar. I barely used an salt and half of it rolls off. But I really think the salt helps bring out the flavor in everything. Salt is a flavor enhancer. YUM.
Also the second time, I tried to stick the tomato on one side . . . in other words NOT IN THE MIDDLE. I tried to pierce it closer to one side of the tomato so it would rest better on the plate. I did also try doing it with the tomato on the bottom and the toothpick up in the air, I didn’t like that. It probably would have worked better with the cheese on the bottom. Or if the tomatoes are cut.
Either way . . . such an easier appetizer. And so yummy. I actually assembled it the night before. But I put the vinegar and salt on right before I served it. Both kind of make the cheese “melty”. So it got a little messy. But it was still good.
I was actually surprised how much I liked them. I made a lot and I think I ate most of them. My hubby and I even had a few in the days that followed.
Now we have more. Yay! Yum!
Have you made these before? How do you assemble them?
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