JULY 4TH FOOD: Elegant Tomato And Mozzarella Skewers With Grapes & Olives

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July 3, 2011 at 7:28 am · Filed under Appetizers-Hors d’Oeuvre, Cheese-Yogurt-Dairy, July 4th/Independence Day, Recipes

As long as the grill is fired, here’s a tasty appetizer that goes great with drinks: Mediterranean Grilled Mozzarella Skewers with tomatoes, kalamata olives and caperberries.

The recipe was created by Chef James Campbell Caruso for EatWisconsinCheese.com. It makes six skewers.

For July 4th, use red grape tomatoes, red grapes and/or purple olives.

Ingredients

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons Spanish sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons minced garlic

12 fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls (1/3 ounce each)

12 seedless red grapes

12 pitted kalamata olives

12 cherry tomatoes

12 large caperberries

6 (8-inch) to 12 (6-inch) skewers

Photo courtesy EatWisconsinCheese.com.

Preparation
1. In a large bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes and garlic. Add the remaining ingredients; toss well to coat. Refrigerate for 2 hours to marinate.
2. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium.
3. For 8-inch skewers, thread 1 mozzarella ball, 1 grape, 1 olive, 1 tomato and 1 caperberry on each skewer; repeat so you have two of each item on each skewer. For 6-inch skewers, thread 1 of each item, in the same order.
4. Grill the skewers on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese is soft and the skewers are thoroughly heated. Serve the skewers as a tapa or side to grilled meat.

Find more cheese recipes in our Cheese Section.

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