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Fresh Make-Ahead Caprese Skewers Recipe with Easy Zesty Basil Pesto

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These Fresh Make-Ahead Caprese Skewers with Zesty Basil Pesto are a light, fresh, and easy appetizer perfect for summer gatherings. They can be made ahead and are bursting with flavor from cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a zesty homemade pesto.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (about 300g), ripe and firm
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (Bocconcini), drained
  • 20 fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
  • For the Zesty Basil Pesto:
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted lightly
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze, store-bought or homemade
  • Wooden skewers, 6-inch size

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, shaking frequently to avoid burning. Let cool slightly.
  2. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, toasted nuts, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth, vibrant green pesto. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  4. Drain mozzarella balls well and pat dry with a paper towel.
  5. Thread one cherry tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, then a mozzarella ball onto each skewer. Repeat if skewers are long enough, or keep bite-sized with one set.
  6. Arrange skewers on a platter or airtight container for storage if making ahead.
  7. Right before serving, drizzle the zesty basil pesto generously over the skewers, then finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze. If made ahead, keep pesto and glaze separate until serving.

Notes

Toast nuts lightly for deeper flavor. Use room temperature mozzarella for best texture. Keep pesto and balsamic glaze separate if making ahead to avoid sogginess. If pesto thickens after refrigeration, stir in olive oil to loosen. Pat tomatoes and mozzarella dry to prevent moisture build-up.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese skewers, basil pesto, appetizer, make-ahead, summer recipe, fresh, easy, party food, finger food

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/fresh-make-ahead-caprese-skewers-recipe-with-easy-zesty-basil-pesto/