If you need an appetizer that is somewhat elegant looking but easy and fast, this is a recipe for you. Bocconcini balls are little balls of fresh mozzarella, found in your deli section of the grocery store. They are pretty tasteless unless you marinate them, which this recipe gets you to do, for about 30 minutes or so. Skewer them with salty bacon and a sweet cherry tomato, then drizzle with balsamic syrup (also found in your deli section) for a sublime and quick snack!
Ingredients:
10 bocconcini balls (fresh mozzarella, all about the size of a cherry), sliced in half
1/2 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
4-5 slices of bacon cooked, cooled and sliced into about 20 pieces
a few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked off
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
coarse salt
fresh cracked pepper
strip of lemon peel
balsamic glaze
20 small skewers
In a bowl, mix together the oil, lemon peel, and thyme leaves. Gently stir in the sliced bocconcini balls until coated. Sprinkle over some salt and pepper, and then let sit for at least about 30 minutes.
When you are ready to serve them, thread on 1/2 cherry tomato, 1/2 bocconcini ball, a slice of bacon, then another ½ cherry tomato. The bacon works best if it’s not too crispy or it will break.
Place them all on a plate and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Makes 20
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