Description
Mediterranean flavors dance on these elegant skewers, combining ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. Simple ingredients create a delightful appetizer that you’ll savor with friends during summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 (12-ounce) container miniature cherry-sized fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves (about 36 leaves)
Skewers and Preparation Tools:
- 16 to 18 (4-inch) wooden skewers
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Carefully fold large basil leaves in half to create compact layers, ensuring even distribution of flavors across each skewer.
- Carefully pierce wooden skewers (4-inch length) with alternating ingredients: start with a ripe cherry tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, then a smooth mozzarella ball, another basil leaf, and conclude with a second cherry tomato.
- Symmetrically arrange the prepared skewers on an elegant serving platter, creating an appealing visual presentation.
- Delicately drizzle extra-virgin olive oil (or 30 milliliters) across the assembled skewers, ensuring light and even coverage.
- Elegantly add a complementary balsamic glaze (or 15 milliliters), allowing the rich, sweet reduction to enhance the ingredients’ natural flavors.
- Finish by sprinkling kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the taste profile and add a subtle seasoning layer.
Notes
- Prep these colorful skewers up to 2 hours before serving, keeping them chilled in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Choose ripe, firm cherry tomatoes for the best burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Fold larger basil leaves gently to ensure they fit neatly between mozzarella and tomatoes without tearing.
- Use wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning if grilling or broiling.
- Invest in high-quality balsamic glaze and extra-virgin olive oil to elevate the simple ingredients with rich, complex flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg