Caprese salad — on a stick

A Caprese salad is an all time favorite. Simple, elegant and flavorful, every one loves this classic. I wanted to create a version of this fabulous salad that was shared more easily. I decided to put this on small toothpicks so that they make the perfect hours d’odivers. This take on the beautiful Italian salad is always a hit at parties, and they are so simple to essentially assmble.

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1 tub cherry tomatoes

1 large ball or 1 tub small balls of mozzarella, cut into small cubes

Basil leaves, cut into large pieces if large

Toothpicks Really, really good EVOO, 4 tablespoons Aged balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons Lemon zest, 1/2 lemon, you can grate this directly over the salad 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, toasted for 2-3 minutes and pounded in a mortar briefly to very coarse grain.

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half horizontally. Pierce the stem end onto a toothpick, followed by a basil leaf, the mozzarella and finally the bottom of the tomato. Slide the asse to the center of the stick. Arrange decoratively on a flat platter. Drizzle with the olive oil, balsamic. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and the fennel seeds. Serve immediately.