***Looking for the recipes you saw on KCCI this morning?
Click for the Slimmed Down Buffalo Dip, and S’Mores on a Stick!***

After chewing Mini Corn Dog Muffins, chowing Mini Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, and chomping Buffalo Chicken Poppers on Super Bowl Sunday, you might feel as though you can’t take another bite.

Been there, done that.

But trust me, take the 3rd quarter to dig deep and somehow, someway, find an empty pocket in your tummy to fill with one of the most ridiculously delicious bites to ever pass your lips, before the sun sets on yet another Super Bowl.

Caprese Skewers

With Balsamic Drizzle – muwahaHAHA!

Mini mozzarella cheese balls skewered with tender basil leaves and juicy tomatoes, drizzled with tangy-sweet balsamic reduction will knock. Your. Socks. Off.

Each layered is loaded with bold-yet-fresh flavors that combine in a bite that is nearly indescribable. It is SO good!

Bonus: it only takes 10 minutes or so to make a whole mess of ‘em! Start by laying out a plate to hold the Caprese Skewers, tooth picks to do the skewerin’, and the ingredients.

That’d be grape or cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and fresh mini mozzarella balls. You can find mini mozza balls in most grocery stores these days. If not, just cut a regular-sized ball of fresh mozz into bite-sized pieces.

Assembly is as easy as 1…2…3!

Whee!

While you’re assembling the skewers, pour 1 cup balsamic vinegar into a saucepan and let it simmer for 10 minutes, or until it’s the consistency of thin maple syrup. When it’s cool and thickened slightly, drizzle and drip the sweet syrup on top. Mercy. Me.

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle

Print this recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup balsamic vinegar

cherry or grape tomatoes

mini mozzarella cheese balls (could use regular sized ball, and cut into bite-sized pieces)

fresh basil leaves, cut in half if large

salt & pepper

toothpicks

Directions:

1. Bring balsamic vinegar up to a boil in a saucepan, then lower heat to medium and simmer until it’s the consistency of very thin maple syrup, about 10 minutes. Pour into a bowl and let cool.

2. Cut tomatoes in half. Thread a mini mozzarella cheese ball, basil leaf (fold in half if large) and a tomato half onto a tooth pick. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, then drizzle cooled balsamic reduction on top.

Let’s see… Mini? Check. Fresh? Yup. Flavorful? Uh-huh. Perfect in every single way? You bet!

Actually, hand dipping the bite-sized skewers in the leftover balsamic reduction so they were covered from top-to-tomato in the sweet stuff was absolute perfection. Make a TON of these because they won’t last long!

In other news, I’ll be sharing a couple more game-day recipes tomorrow morning around 6:40am on KCCI News Channel 8. Wish me luck – there’s melted chocolate involved. Ahhh!!

See ya’!