Romantic Capresse Appetizer Recipe

The Romantic Capresse Appetizer is offered before the Romantic Cajun Dinner meal itself begins, and not only is it colorful and delicious, it will set the stage for the coming Romantic Dinner Feast.  The beautifully prepared Romantic Capresse immediately sets the mood and screams ROMANTIC!    The colors, the artful composition, the care taken in its preparation—will remind you it is a time for pleasure, relaxation and indulgence. The Pesto Sauce Marinade served in this dish will literally pop in your mouth  with flavors that will linger.

Ingredients:

• 12 large Basil Leaves
• Cucumber
• 12 Grape Tomatoes
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
• Cream Cheese
• 6 Wooden Skewers about 4 inches long

Add items listed below on 6 4″ skewers.  You will want 3 skewers per dish:

1. Tomato
2. Folded Basil Leaf
3. Mozzarella
4. Folded Basil leaf
5. Tomato

When you place the vegetables and cheese on the skewers, make sure to leave at least a half inch on each end of the skewer.  One end will be used to attach firmly to the cucumber  and the other end will be used to pic the skewer up.  Place the skewered appetizers in the Pesto Marinate Sauce for at least 3 to 4 hours.  Cover and place in refrigerator.  Check out the Pesto Marinate Recipe.

Cut a cucumber 1 1/2″ thick and scoop out the inside of the cucumber on one side and leave the other side in tact.  (In other words, don’t scoop out all the cucumber, making it a hollow cylinder).  The cucumber will resemble a small bowl to put the fresh home-made cheese ball in.  Check out the Parmesan Cream Cheese Ball Recipe.  Place the Cheese Ball in the center of the cucumber to look like what is in the picture above.

Designing the Romantic Capresse Appetizer in a martini glass

Begin by adding 3 large Basil leaves in the martini glass having them stick up pass the rim of the glass.  Next, add the cucumber at the bottom of the glass to secure the leaves at the bottom of the glass.  Then stick 3 skewers that have been marinating into the cucumber.  Add the cheese ball in the center of the cucumber.

Drizzle the entire appetizer with a sweet balsamic glaze of your choice.  I prefer Vino Del Grotto Fig Balsamic Glaze.