Tomato Basil Mozzarella Skewers...Really, Really Easy

Tomato Basil Mozzarella Skewers...Really, Really Easy. I am now harvesting some tomatoes from my garden. So I thought I would share this really, really simple appetizer. This quick appetizer is wonderful for a gathering....it is rather quick to prepare. The flavors are fresh and vibrant. You really don't need that many ingredients, just simple cherry (pear) tomatoes, fresh basil and good quality fresh mozzarella balls. I also like to add some olives to some....just for the taste and color it brings. Alternately, you can substitute some feta cheese cubes as well. There are a lot of other ingredients that you can substitute...so be creative. I love to sprinkle some chopped chives and drizzle some good olive oil over them. If you like, you can cut a Roma tomato in half and place the cut side down on a plate. You can then insert the skewers into the Roma tomato...it sort of becomes a stand for the skewers. I like to marinate my mozzarella balls in some olive oil, dried onion flakes, chile flakes, and oregano/basil(or other Italian herbs)....I then let them sit in the marinade for a few hours or overnight. It really isn't necessary to marinate them, but it brings a ton of flavor. So feel free to marinate them or use use them plain. I think they even sell some that are marinated. If you can't find mozzarella balls, just use fresh mozzarella and cut them in cubes.

You will need:

mozzarella balls, preferably marinated
basil leaves
cherry tomatoes
yellow pear tomatoes
olives
toothpicks/skewer
kosher salt
olive oil
chopped chives

Directions:

Thread a yellow pear/cherry tomato onto a skewer, add a basil leaf , then finish with a mozzarella ball.

You can likewise add an olive as well. Repeat process and make as many skewers a s you need. Sprinkle with a small pinch of kosher salt, drizzle some olive oil and top with some chopped chives.