Mini Caprese Salad Bites
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Mini Caprese Salad Bites – a most delicious salad served in a most elegant way. The perfect appetizer for a party, or just simply because!
Caprese Salad or Insalata Caprese is a very simple salad from Italy consisting of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil and olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. I think the beauty of this salad is its simplicity and the fact that it consists of the Italian flag colors. Different versions of it include using balsamic vinegar and that’s what I chose to do with mine today.
I love this salad, and we make it almost every night of the week because of how simple it is. We use fresh bocconcini for it and if you’ve never had bocconcini, all it is is small pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese. We also tried something different this time, I say we because it was my husband’s idea to do this and he’s the salad king at our house. We tried a balsamic reduction instead of just plain old balsamic vinegar. I think it was a great idea, mostly because it looks better and if you’re making this for a party I strongly recommend using a balsamic reduction instead.
A balsamic reduction all it is is just cooking the balsamic vinegar for a while and it will reduce to less than half and thicken in the process, so the flavor is more concentrated.
One more thing I want to say about this caprese salad, isn’t this the cutest presentation you’ve ever seen? I mean how adorable and perfect is this for an appetizer at a party?
It’s brilliant! I know, you’ll impress everyone!
If you guys love this recipe, and most importantly make it yourselves, please let us know. Take a picture and tag it #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
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Mini Caprese Salad Bites
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Serves: 12
Mini Caprese Salad Bites - a most delicious salad served in a most elegant way. The perfect appetizer for a party, or just simply because!
Ingredients
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups bocconcini cheese I used mini bocconcini
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch basil fresh
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
Instructions
- In a small skillet add the balsamic vinegar and cook over medium heat until it reduced to less than half and thickened. Make sure you stir occasionally. It should only take about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount you're reducing.
- Take a toothpick and on it stick a bocconcini, a basil leaf and a cherry tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Using a teaspoon drizzle some of the balsamic reduction onto each appetizer.
Recipe Notes
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 65kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 3g (5%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 6mg (2%)Sodium: 116mg (5%)Potassium: 77mg (2%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 155IU (3%)Vitamin C: 5.8mg (7%)Calcium: 69mg (7%)Iron: 0.3mg (2%)
Nutrition Facts
Mini Caprese Salad Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 65
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 6mg2%
Sodium 116mg5%
Potassium 77mg2%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 155IU3%
Vitamin C 5.8mg7%
Calcium 69mg7%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Enjoy!
Janice schwartz says
Why do you reduce the balsamic vinegar ???
What is the difference between the two?
Nicole Beaulieu says
Reducing the balsamic vinegar gives it a thicker more glaze like consistency.
Lori Lewis says
I make these all the time. I use a strawberry balsamic reduction. Goes so well when having company. It’s quick, easy and fresh. I even make them for my lunch as a healthy lunch.
Patty Holland says
I am trying to figure out how many this recipe makes? I am planning a party of appetizers. I appreciate your response.
Joanna Cismaru says
Well it depends on the size of your tomatoes and bocconcini, but you should get about 15 to 20.
Sheral says
HI Jo, I am making these for a potluck. Would the balsamic reduction still be good the next day? Would I need to put it in the fridge until I use it?
Fenne Kieken says
Sure you can make the reduction ahead and I would keep it in the fridge . These little bites are always a hit and taste so fresh..
Mea Foodie says
Definitely put balsamic vinegar in fridge if using the next day. Do not put it on caprese salad bites until just before serving.
Jill Brown says
Ok, I want to do these for my daughter’s Bridal Shower coming up soon, 7-26-14. You say you used “brocconcini” but in the picture it looks like the cheese is in the shape of a ball. Did you use a small scoop on the mozzarella or can you buy cheese in the shape of a ball? Also, I am noticing that there are fewer and fewer stores that carry red cherry tomatoes and instead carry what they are calling “salad” tomatoes, which are an oval shape. I really like the round/cherry tomatoes and I have found only the yellow tomatoes, which would be nice to use both colors. Your thoughts? Thanks I can hardly wait to try this and the balsamic vinegar reduction sounds like a great idea. I’ll let you know. -Jill
jo says
Hi Jill,
Bocconcini is small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese, you should be able to find this in your grocery store with all the cheeses. You can use the oval small tomatoes, or the cherry tomatoes. 🙂
Francesca says
I just made 10 just to get the visual for my dinner party tomorrow. I will make the rest tomorrow because they are very easy to assemble. They look adorable, I wish I could enclose the photo I just took.
I cut a little of the bottom of the tomatoes, and they are standing up like proud little soldiers!
Thank you for sharing this yummy idea for an appetizer !
jo says
You probably could on facebook if you follow me. So glad you liked them. They are totally adorable!
NC Pat says
I’ve been making these for years, only I call it “salad on a stick”. You can change out the mozzarella for a feta cube, add a small dice of cucumber, and a piece of kalamata olive. Use a Greek-style dressing and call it “Greek salad on a stick”.
jo says
What wonderful ideas!
Arantxa says
Could these been made the night before and refrigerated? I’m unsure of how well this would keep.
jo says
I think they’d be ok, though I wouldn’t drizzle the balsamic on them until served.
Tara says
I have added these to my Mouth Watering Mondays post to bring in the New Year!! Come on over to have a look at http://www.noshingwiththenolands.com Happy New Year, Cheers Tara
JWF says
I love your presentation, but how do you get them to stand up right? Where did you buy your skewers? (perhaps that’s where I’m going wrong. ?)
jo says
Haha, it’s not a trick I swear, all you have to do is cut the bottom of the tomato off so that it’s flat and can stand, it doesn’t matter what skewers you use, toothpicks would work just as well. Good luck. 🙂
Mama's Gotta Bake says
I’m always looking for a dish for parties that makes a nice presentation, and this one is perfect!
brighteyedbaker says
I’m in love with the simple combination of mozzarella and tomato, and I love the way you presented it. This would be the perfect appetizer for a get-together!
jo says
And impressive too, eh? Yeah mozzarella and tomatoes are one of my favorite snacks. 🙂