Mini Caprese Bites

1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved

10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds*

32 (4-inch) wooden skewers**

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. 1. Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.
2. 2. Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.
3. *1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, may be substituted.
4. **Wooden picks may be substituted.
5. Serve these mini tomato and mozzarella skewers in individual glasses as an appetizer at a seated dinner party, or arrange on a platter for your buffet!

Note: Grape tomatoes vary in size from week to week at the grocery store; some pints we found had only 24 while others had more than 40. Good news, you should still have enough mozzarella balls because they are generally sold in 8-oz. containers that have more than enough.