Mini Caprese Bites

This is such a simple way to enjoy fresh tomatoes in the summer. Especially when it's ridiculously hot outside and the idea of turning the oven on is about as appealing as snuggling under a comforter, in front of a roaring fire while drinking hot cocoa. Plus they're cute as the dickens. Whatever that means. Because now that I think about it, I've seen pictures of Charles Dickens and he's okay, but definitely not all that.

MINI CAPRESE BITES

Makes 8 appetizer servings

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds

32 (4-inch) wooden skewers or toothpicks

32 small fresh basil leaves (or larger leaves, ripped to fit)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste

1.      Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, 1 piece of basil and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.

2.      Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

barely adapted from Southern Living, May 2008

grape tomatoes

small mozzarella balls

assembled caprese bite

caprese bites (without balsamic vinaigrette)

balsamic vinegar, oil, salt and pepper

caprese bites drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette

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