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Mini Caprese Skewers with Pesto

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These Mini Caprese Skewers with Pesto are a quick, fresh, and colorful party appetizer featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, fragrant basil, and a punchy homemade pesto. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re perfect for gatherings and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 24 cherry or grape tomatoes, washed and dried
  • 24 fresh mozzarella pearls
  • 24 small fresh basil leaves, washed
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 24 bamboo cocktail skewers or toothpicks
  • For the pesto:
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts/almonds)
  • 1 small garlic clove, peeled
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
  • Optional garnishes:
  • Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
  • Red pepper flakes, for heat

Instructions

  1. Rinse cherry tomatoes and basil leaves under cool water and pat dry.
  2. Place tomatoes and mozzarella pearls in a small mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and cracked black pepper, and toss gently to coat.
  3. In a food processor, combine basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, drizzle in olive oil until smooth. Add lemon juice if desired. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  4. Thread one tomato, one mozzarella pearl, and one basil leaf onto each skewer. Repeat until all ingredients are used. Tear large basil leaves if needed.
  5. Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon pesto onto each skewer. Drizzle with balsamic glaze or sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture. If prepping ahead, cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 hours.

Notes

For vegan or nut-free versions, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese and omit or replace nuts in the pesto. Use the freshest produce for best flavor. Assemble skewers just before serving to prevent soggy basil and tomatoes. Taste pesto before serving and adjust seasoning as needed. For a warm twist, grill skewers briefly to melt cheese and blister tomatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: caprese, skewers, pesto, appetizer, party, Italian, mozzarella, tomato, basil, gluten-free, vegetarian, easy, finger food

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/mini-caprese-skewers-with-pesto-easy-15-minute-party-appetizer/