Caprese Bites with Cracked Pepper Balsamic Sauce
Inspired by the popular Italian caprese salad, these delicious one-bite appetizers are impressive, yet easy to prepare.
Serves 6
Prep time 15 min.
Ingredients
4 cups small (1 1/2oz. each) fresh mozzarella balls
[or 24 mini fresh mozzarella balls], packed in water
24 medium fresh basil leaves
1 can (8oz.) Del Monte® Tomato Sauce
2 Tbsps. water
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1½ tsps. balsamic vinegar
24 small wooden picks
Directions
Cut each cheese ball in half; then cut each half in thirds. If using mini mozzarella balls, do not cut.
Place a basil leaf on a cutting board. Place a piece of cheese in the center of the leaf and pull ends of leaf over cheese, overlapping slightly. Secure with a wooden pick. Repeat with remaining basil and cheese.
Whisk together tomato sauce, water, pepper, oil and vinegar in a small bowl.
Just before serving, pour sauce mixture on a rimmed serving platter; arrange skewers, pick-ends up, over sauce. Garnish sauce by drizzling with additional balsamic vinegar, if desired.
NOTE: Fresh mozzarella balls, commonly called bocca or bocconcini (mini-size) mozzarella, are found in the supermarket’s specialty cheese section. If only large mozzarella is available, cut into ¾-inch pieces.