Caprese Salad Kabobs with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Caprese Salad Kabobs
with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Looking for an easy, quick appetizer for that special gathering? These simple Caprese Salad Kabobs are healthy and simple to prepare! Healthy appetizer and ready in under an hour. Can be made ahead too... just drizzle and party on!
Caprese Salad Kabobs
With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Yield: 18 Kabobs
Ingredients:
Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3 – 4 tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash kosher salt
Kabobs:
1 carton assorted cherry/ grape tomatoes
6 – 8 large fresh sweet basil leaves
8-ounce brick mozzarella cheese
1 package 6-inch bamboo skewers or cut long ones to size
Equipment needed:
Small 1-quart saucepan
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Rubber spatula
Small bowl or plastic squeeze bottle
Cutting board
Chef knife
Serving platter or dinner plate
I served these cute kabobs at my Mom’s 90th birthday party and they were a huge hit! Easy to prepare and serve too. I love Caprese Salad... Sweet tomatoes and mozzarella cheese garnished with tangy balsamic vinegar and fresh sweet basil. Yum!! At a party salad is kind of difficult to eat standing up...Kabobs make it so much easier. Healthy option to add to the usual appetizer fare too. Fun to make... Even the kids can help with the assembly, which is better yet! Healthy, easy and only six ingredients?? Better grab your bamboo skewers and get assembling!
The balsamic vinegar glaze is the key ingredient to making these kabobs so flavorful and fantastic! Very easy to prepare too! Grab a small saucepan, 1-quart or less... (or smallest one you have) and pour in the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic powder and kosher salt. Place it over medium high heat, hot enough that the flame is not lipping over the edges of the pan. Allow mixture to come to a boil and stir well. Turn the heat down to maintain a rapid simmer. Simmer for 4 - 5 minutes or until mixture looks like it has thickened slightly. Don’t allow it to burn as it has honey in it! Allow to cool a few minutes before setting the pan in the refrigerator or freezer while you make the kabobs. Glaze will need to be cool before pouring over skewers, thickens as it cools too. I often make the glaze the day ahead or morning before I plan on serving.
Did I say this recipe is easy peasy? First step is to cut the cheese into 18 equal pieces. Time for a little math... To get 18 out of the block, horizontally cut the block into thirds. Then you will cut the block vertically in half and then each half into thirds... another words six vertical rows. Each skewer will have three tomatoes and two pieces of cheese. If you desire more than 18 portions... double it or use another 1⁄2 a block of cheese with the leftover tomatoes. I like using the assorted colored small tomatoes. I sold in a variety pack at most grocery stores. Very colorful and meal appeal! Otherwise, red cherry tomatoes will work, especially homegrown, garden fresh!!
Final prep step... cutting the basil! I remember attending a party where the hostess was cutting each basil leaf individually to top her Caprese Salad. Showed her this simple step and she was wondering where I had been her whole life! To make cutting basil easy, make a chiffonade. To do this stack the basil leaves on top of each other with the largest leaves on the bottom. Roll them into a tight tube and using a sharp knife, cut them across into vertical slices, as shown above. Fluff up the ribbons a bit and chop a few times to make the pieces a bit finer to cover each kabob. Line up skewers on a plate or platter and sprinkle each layer with basil. Drizzle with glaze if serving right away. Glaze might run off a bit, so wait until the last minute, right before serving. I use a spoon or a plastic mustard-type bottle to add the glaze.
Don’t they look spectacular? Go ahead and share one with the cooks... delicious!! Right before serving I often drizzle a bit more balsamic glaze over the platter or place a small bowl of glaze next to the platter if anyone desires more. Don’t want too much glaze though, as it will drizzle on you when you take a bite if you’re not careful! Party time... Enjoy!!