Caprese is a delicious combination of freshness and flavors. Served as a salad, it includes ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil, with olive oil or balsamic drizzle. We’ve seen these Ladybugs on Instagram and Pinterest and thought they would be fun to try. They didn’t disappoint! These adorable appetizers will delight guests of all ages. Count on them to get party conversations going, long after the platter is empty!
Drain Time: 30 minutes Assembly: 25 minutes Total Prep Time: 55 minutes Servings: About 16 ladybugs Calories: 69 kcal (per serving)
You’ll need: Toothpicks to create dots on the ladybugs.
Ingredients:
- 8 grape tomatoes
- 16 basil leaves (use more for garnish, if desired.)
- 1 package of pre-cut mozzarella cheese or 1 container of medium-sized bocconcini mozzarella balls.
- 4-6 large pitted black olives
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
Place paper towels in double layers on the counter.
Open the mozzarella and place the pieces on the paper towels to drain.
Rinse the tomatoes. Using a sharp knife, cut each tomato in half, lengthwise. Make the “wings” by cutting a vertical slit down the center.
Place the tomatoes cut side down on the paper towels.
Slice the black pitted olives into quarters and add the pieces to the paper towels.
Let the mozzarella, tomato slices, and black olive quarters drain for at least 30 minutes.
While everything is drying out on the paper towels, wash the basil leaves and pat them dry.
Pour some balsamic glaze into a small dish and set it in the refrigerator. Set aside one or two toothpicks to make the dots.
Take out a marble tray or a wood charcuterie board to use as a serving platter and place the mozzarella slices around the platter.
Top each piece of mozzarella with a single basil leaf.
Now add a tomato slice to each basil leaf.
Place the cut side of the olive pieces against the tomatoes.
Dip a toothpick into the balsamic glaze and add little dots to the back of each tomato so they resemble a ladybug. Repeat with each ladybug.
Garnish the platter with more basil leaves, if desired, and serve.
Tips:
- Keep your balsamic glaze in the refrigerator until time to dab on the dots. The colder glaze is easier to apply.
- You can use grape or cherry tomatoes (we used cherry because that’s what was available). Grape tomatoes are oblong and shaped like grapes. Although they aren’t as sweet as cherry tomatoes, they are less watery and have a meatier flesh. We think grape tomatoes are easier to work with and make better ladybug shapes!
- Skip the draining step at your own risk! Otherwise, your assembled ladybugs will become a watery mess. (And we all know ladybugs are better at flying than swimming!)
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