{easy appetizer: caprese bites}

I love entertaining during the week, it allows me to briefly pretend its the weekend and I get to eat a wonderful meal with friends. The part I don't enjoy is my commute from work in Culver City to Downtown Los Angeles which doesn't allow me much time to make extravagant appetizers. One of my go-to quick and easy appetizer dishes is Caprese Bites.

What you need:

• mozzarella cheese
• a few fresh basil leaves
• tomatoes (I prefer to use grape tomatoes)
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• toothpicks or bamboo skewers

1. drain mozzarella balls and cut each one in half
2. cut tomatoes in half if using grape tomatoes, otherwise cut into pieces about as large as the cheese
3. cut basil into square inch pieces
4. sandwich a piece of basil in between a piece of cheese and tomato then skewer with toothpick
5. place on serving tray and drizzle with olive oil and a balsamic reduction (or regular balsamic if you don't want to get too fancy)
6. salt & pepper to taste
7. impress your guests and enjoy. 

Here is fun idea from Southern Living of a different way to serve these bites in individual cups. Would be really cute sitting on top of each person's place setting.