Summer Tomato Appetizer – Caprese Stacks

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Summer is in full swing here at The Orange Bee.  Summer means; vacation, beach time, late night strolls, bike rides, farm fresh tomatoes, melons, and peaches!  One of my favorite appetizers to make and eat when it’s a hot, hot summer day are these “Oh so cute” Caprese Stacks.  Recently my man Dan and I were invited to a spur of the moment backyard get together and I was asked to bring wine and an appetizer.  In the past I never wanted to be responsible for a starter course but that has changed since I discovered these little tomato stacks.  Wine – oh I”m always happy to bring the wine!

I decided to make these for the party and also to try box wine!  Yep – I wanted to give it a shot.  I decided on “Black Box” Chardonnay – because well we all know Chardonnay is my “go to” wine and I’ve heard that Black Box has won over 50 Gold Medals!  I was also considering how easy it would be to chill it and carry it to the gathering.  I’d read that Black Box wines are a bit less expensive, 40% less to be exact, than similar quality bottled wines and I needed to provide enough for a large group of people. On the chance not everyone showed up, Black Box wine stays fresh for up to 6 weeks, meaning the host wouldn’t have to toss it. I was thinking easy and portable.  This combo seemed like a win-win for me.

I’m so excited to share the Caprese Stacks with you.  If you love farm fresh, vine ripe tomatoes as much as I do you’re going to love this simple tomato appetizer. A tray of these little cuties served with mixed nuts, marinated mushrooms, a dish of olives and a bowl of toast rounds makes a perfect summer appetizer spread!  I could easily fill up on the hors d’oeuvres and pass on dinner.

Follow the steps below to make this recipe – which really isn’t a recipe, so to speak, because once you see how quick and easy it all comes together you will just have it in your head – like a grandma!

Caprese Stacks
First slice the stem end off of the tomato.

Sprinkle Italian Herbs (basil, thyme and oregano) over mozzarella balls and drizzle with olive oil .

And Balsamic Vinegar.  Now gently toss the mozz balls with the oil and vinegar.

Next tear larger basil leaves into small pieces or use small leaves and place one piece of basil on a tomato followed by a mozzarella ball.

Now spear a toothpick through the entire stack.  Set aside and repeat until all tomatoes are “stacked”.

Done!  See how easy it is?  They are delicious and always popular because they are so cute!  If you’d like some more ideas for entertaining be sure to visit the Simple Entertaining Social Hub.  Now we all know how much I like wine and to travel and taste wines!  If you’d like a chance to win a trip to your favorite wine region, so that you too can go wine tasting in California (YES) go here and enter for a chance to win a trip with 2 round trip tickets, hotel, rental car and $1,000.00 spending money!  What?  Yes, you read that right – click here to win all that!  Maybe we’ll bump into each other if you win – and if you do – well you can just go ahead and thank me now.  If you win you should probably let me know because I can give you a few hints about my favorite tasting spots!

I’ll be sharing photos and reviews of our latest trip to California in the upcoming days; so until you win this trip and we meet up in Cali for a little wine tour, (because if you click you are gonna win) enjoy your summer, stay cool, drink more water than wine, wear sunscreen and keep life simple and easy!