Fresh Caprese Appetizers

Caprese is the ultimate summer food. Red ripe tomatoes with sweet basil leaves and fresh mozzarella is summertime perfection! It is flavorful, yet not heavy. It is easy to make, yet it looks like food art. We enjoyed Caprese and other dishes with these flavors in both Italy and Germany when visiting family, a couple years ago. My brother lives in a little German hamlet with his family and the countryside was an agricultural utopia. We would eat outside and enjoy Caprese salad on our visit. It was lovely! However, while traditional Caprese salad is delicious it does not have bread in it as today’s appetizer does. Additionally, it is usually drizzled with olive oil, but I omitted that today. Instead, I decided to make individual Fresh Caprese appetizers with balsamic glaze. It didn’t take long for them to get eaten!

Since we are in the middle of summer and the weather is hot there is no better time than to make a plate of fresh Caprese appetizers and serve with a good bubbly. Take your appetizers outside and enjoy!

Fresh Caprese Appetizers

Crostini or fresh baguettes slices (make crostini by toasting baguette slices in oven till lightly brown)

Thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese

Thinly sliced Roma tomatoes or tomatoes of choice

Genovese or Sweet Basil leaves (not Thai basil)

Balsamic glaze* (see note below)

Sea salt

Note on balsamic glaze: this is not quite the same as balsamic vinegar. This is balsamic vinegar that has been cooked down and thickened. If you cannot find balsamic glaze in the stores than simply reduce balsamic vinegar on stove top. Just simmer balsamic vinegar and let it cook down and thicken.

Keep reading below for instructions!

Lay your crostini or baguette slices on desired tray. Next, add a thin slice of tomato on top of each piece of crostini or baguette. After this, add fresh mozzarella. If desired, sprinkle Caprese lightly with sea salt at this point. You can then add a basil leaf on top of each Caprese. For the finale, drizzle with balsamic glaze. If you feel your hand is unsteady like mine, then practice your drizzle quick on a plate or paper towel and then do your drizzle. This appetizer is best made right before serving because the balsamic glaze looks its prettiest.

Have a beautiful day!