Caprese Skewers with Pesto (Printable Version)

Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil on skewers with a flavorful pesto drizzle.

# What You'll Need:

→ Skewers

01 - 12 cherry tomatoes
02 - 12 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
03 - 12 fresh basil leaves
04 - 12 small wooden or bamboo skewers

→ Pesto Drizzle

05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
06 - 2 tablespoons pine nuts
07 - 1 small garlic clove
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Thread one cherry tomato, one mozzarella ball, and one basil leaf onto each skewer in sequence. Arrange the prepared skewers on a serving platter.
02 - In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic clove, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped into a coarse texture.
03 - With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
04 - Drizzle the prepared pesto over the assembled skewers immediately before serving for optimal freshness and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in minutes without heat, which means your kitchen stays cool and your hands stay free to greet guests.
  • The contrast between cool, creamy mozzarella and bright, warm basil feels like summer captured on a stick.
02 -
  • If you drizzle the pesto too early, it sits on top of the cool mozzarella and doesn't integrate, so resist the urge to finish them more than fifteen minutes ahead.
  • The moment you notice your pesto tastes a bit dull, you probably need more salt or a squeeze of lemon juice, so taste as you go rather than guessing.
03 -
  • The moment your pesto smells grassy and bright when you open the processor lid, you know you've nailed it, which teaches you to trust your nose more than your timer.
  • Tossing the basil leaves for your skewers in the tiniest bit of olive oil right before assembly keeps them from darkening and adds another layer of flavor.
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