Caprese with Pesto Bites
User Reviews
4.6
Caprese with Pesto Bites
Description
This recipe involves several components assembled into a small canapé. Cherry tomatoes are halved, and mozzarella cheese is sliced then cut into cubes. Rustic bread slices are brushed with olive oil and grilled briefly to achieve light crispness and grill marks, then cut into squares. The pesto is made by finely processing fresh basil leaves and toasted pine nuts, followed by the addition of Romano cheese, minced garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil to form a spreadable mixture. Salt and pepper can be added to taste.
To assemble, a small amount of pesto is spread onto each bread square, topped with a mozzarella cube and a tomato half, all secured with a toothpick. This layering offers fresh herbal and nutty flavors from the pesto, creaminess from the cheese, tang and juiciness from the tomato, and a crunchy base from the grilled bread.
Serve these bites immediately to maintain the crispness of the bread and freshness of the ingredients. They make a light appetizer or snack with balanced flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 12 cherry tomato
- mozzarella cheese do not use fresh-it falls apart when cut
- 3-4 lices Italian bread or some other rustic type bread
- olive oil for brushing on bread
- 1 cup basil packed leaves
- ¼ cup pine nuts toast by placing in a hot pan and stir for 3-4 minutes, toasted
- ¼ cup Romano cheese
- 1 garlic large clove, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- salt if desired
- black pepper if desired
Instructions
- Cut cherry tomatoes in half and set aside
- Slice mozzarella cheese into 1/4" slices then cut into but 1" squares and set aside
- Brush both sides of bread with olive oil and crisp up by placing on a hot grill (watch and turn so they don't burn - you just want to get some grill marks on both side) then cut into about 1 1/4" squares and set aside
- To make pesto, place basil and pine nuts in a food processor and process until chopped fine
- Add romano cheese, garlic and cheese and process until mixed
- With blade running, drizzle olive oil slowly until it is incorporated.
- If desired, add salt and pepper to taste
- To assemble, place about a 1/2 teaspoon of pesto on bread, top with mozzarella, cherry tomato and secure with toothpick
- Serve immediately
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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