Mini Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
Equipment
- Small saucepan To make the balsamic glaze. A nonstick or stainless steel pan works best.
- Skewers/toothpicks Use 4-inch cocktail skewers for the perfect bite-size presentation. You can substitute fancy bamboo picks or even decorative plastic ones if needed.
- Cutting board and knife For slicing tomatoes or mozzarella if needed.
- Serving platter A white or wooden platter helps the vibrant colors pop, adding to the festive feel.
Ingredients
For the Skewers
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes choose vibrant red for a festive look
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls Ciliegine size works best – these are the small cherry-sized ones
- 20 fresh basil leaves roughly one per skewer; small leaves work best or tear larger ones
- 20 small bamboo cocktail skewers or toothpicks
For the Balsamic Glaze
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey optional, but adds a nice balance to the acidity
Optional Garnishes
- Flaky sea salt or kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A drizzle of good quality olive oil
Instructions
Make the Balsamic Glaze
- Start by preparing the glaze so it has time to cool slightly. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes until it reduces by half and becomes syrupy. If you like a sweeter glaze, stir in a tablespoon of honey while it simmers. Remove from heat and let it cool. It will thicken a bit more as it cools.
Assemble the Skewers
- Now for the fun part—building your mini Caprese bites:
- Start with a cherry tomato.
- Follow with a folded basil leaf (fold in half or roll if it’s large).
- Then skewer a mozzarella ball.
- Add another folded basil leaf (optional, for extra color and flavor).
- Finish with a second cherry tomato.
- Push all the ingredients gently together near the top of the skewer so they’re snug and hold nicely.
- Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
Drizzle with Glaze and Serve
- Arrange the skewers on your serving platter. Once the glaze is cool and syrupy, drizzle it generously over the skewers. If desired, sprinkle with flaky salt and a touch of freshly ground pepper. A few drops of extra virgin olive oil can elevate the presentation and flavor even more.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate briefly until guests arrive. They’re best served at room temperature.