Caprese salad is a simple salad made of sliced, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, basil, salt and olive oil. It is supposed to resemble the Italian flag! Well here is a great picnic version of a classic salad!
What you need:
- 24 Cherry tomatoes
- 12 Fresh Mozzarella cheese balls (see note)
- 24 basil leave
- 12 short wooden skewers
Balsamic Reduction –
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon culinary lavender **
** Culinary lavender is simply the flower that has been grown without any chemicals and is safe to eat.
NOTE: If you cannot find the balls (like I could not), purchase a large blocks (about 12 oz.) and make your own with a melon ball tool. Save the scraps to chop and put in pasta!
How to Do it:
Make the reduction first. Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Watch it though, it will boil over fast!! As soon as it begins to boil, remove from heat and place on a low burner. Simmer until it has reduced by about half. This takes about 45 minutes.
Remove from the heat and cool. Put into a container that has a narrow hole (like a mustard or ketchup bottle) and chill.
Put the skewers together by placing on a tomato, basil, cheese, basil, tomato.
Repeat for all 12 sticks. Chill.
When ready to serve, place on a plate and drizzle the reduction over the top – Serve!
Make 12 skewers
© Copyright 2017 The Lazy Gastronome