Hello! Last week I was chatting with my friend at work about how the start of June means we’re getting into prime barbecue season. I love a good outdoor summer get together, but often times I struggle with navigating the food if the only options there are burgers and hot dogs, chips, and pasta/potato salads. I don’t deny myself these foods if I want them, and I try to eat as mindfully as possible, but pasta and potato salads honestly don’t really do it for me. More often than not I find myself wanting more veggies or other healthier options instead of a big hamburger bun. If you’re hosting anything this summer, consider your health conscious, vegetarian, or gluten free guests please!
Anyways, I will typically bring along some kind of salad (not a boring lettuce salad), a healthified dessert, or an app that involves some veggies and isn’t chips! This way I know I will enjoy at least one fresh food option along with the other things that could be served.
Today I want to share one of my go to easy and healthier party apps: tomato, basil, and mozzarella skewers.
Caprese Party Skewers
Serves a crowd
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella balls, halved (usually will buy two containers from Trader Joe’s)
- Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved (a pint or two)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Thread mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes on small skewers. I like to use a ratio of two tomato halves per every one mozz half and folded basil leaf.
- Brush or drizzle with oil and balsamic.
- Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
These caprese party skewers are seriously the easiest to make. Why are the easiest things sometimes the biggest crowd pleasers? People just love the flavor combo I think. And they’re pretty.
Another reason these are one of my favorite go to apps for summertime? No stove required. Sometimes you just don’t feel like turning on the stove when it’s hot out, amiright? And if you’re short on time, skip the skewering and just toss in a big salad version instead. Easy peasy.
Even though these are delicious anytime, they are certainly festive for Memorial Day and the 4th of July, and festive in a different way for Christmastime. Can’t go wrong!
Readers, let’s chat! What are your go to easy party prep foods? How do you try and cater to health conscious guests when hosting?
You may also like these posts:
- Five healthy tips for surviving grill season
- Heirloom tomato caprese salad
- Red, white, and blue salsa
This post is an updated version of a recipe I posted back in 2011. The content, recipe ingredients, and pictures have all been redone to be more reflective of my blog today and my current stance on what healthy eating means for me.