Hence, these summer days, we have been known shove all our messes in closets or drawers, buy Costco salmon burgers to throw on the grill, serve chips as a side, make one signature fun drink, and accept our guests' offers to bring a dessert or salad. Amazingly enough, my stress level has plummeted and everyone is relaxed and happy (except for the next day when I have to pull out the messes from the closets-what to do with all the ironing and mail?!).
This is one of the reasons I grow basil in the summer....caprese salads, caprese pizzas, caprese sandwiches, caprese bruschetta, caprese skewers....plus, it makes my husband fall in love with me all over again (yes, it's that easy when it comes to 'caprese' things). Below is a caprese sandwich we ate on the Amalfi Coast of Italy a few years ago (Positano):
MINI CAPRESE SKEWERS
What you will need:
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Fresh buffalo mozzarella, cubed (OR regular mozzarella, cubed)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Toothpicks
- OPTIONAL: Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic or red wine vinegar, and salt & pepper--OR Italian dressing
ONLY if you wish, drizzle with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Keep in mind that this may make them a little messier if people are eating while standing or walking around. (Some people like to serve these with pesto sauce, but I find that the basil flavor can be too overpowering).
For bigger skewers, use mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes. Make them REALLY big skewers (more of a caprese salad skewer) with bamboo sticks.
ENJOY!
You can also cut the tomatoes in half and thread one half first and one half last (after the cheese and basil) to make little 'sandwiches' like we did for a bridal shower last year--our friend, Kate, enjoyed them ;). Group the skewers together (as it seems much more impressive looking-ha!)--here is what I mean:
LASTLY (how do I have this much to say over something so ridiculously simple? LOVE), you can make these little skewers with variations:
- Use strawberries instead of tomatoes (or blackberries)
- Use smoked mozzarella or provolone
- Thread on a cube of toasted bread for a panzanella skewer (panzanella is Italian bread salad)
- Thread on a roasted or grilled mushroom
- Thread on a cube of grilled chicken
- Try a strawberry, mint, cheese skewer
- Thread on some tortellini instead or with the cheese
The possibilities are pretty plentiful.....have fun--this idea is pure genius and obviously not mine!
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