Hello foodies, my name is Sofia and I’m excited to share with you my favorite recipe for graduation parties- the Trader Joe’s Caprese Skewers! Being Portuguese, I have always been drawn to fresh and simple ingredients, so this appetizer is particularly meaningful to me. I remember my mom always serving Caprese salads during summer feasts, and although I’m now living in the US, I continue the tradition and love to put my own spin on it. These skewers are the perfect balance of flavors and textures, and I can guarantee they’ll be the talk of the party!
Sofia is an avid traveler and food lover originally from Portugal, but now living in New York City. She enjoys exploring different cuisines and finding new inspiration for her cooking at home. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s often hiking, painting, or practicing yoga.
Sofia Santos currently resides in the United States and grew up in Portugal.
The Caprese salad that inspired this recipe hails from the southern region of Italy- specifically, the island of Capri. Legend has it that the dish was created in honor of a visiting king’s mistress, and the colors of the salad (red, white and green) are meant to symbolize the Italian flag. Traditionally, Caprese salad is made with just three ingredients- tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil- and drizzled with a high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. These skewers take that concept up a notch and make it the perfect party appetizer! And let’s face it, everything is better on a stick!
As we approach May 16, the date where graduations are kicking off around the country, these Caprese Skewers are the perfect addition to any party. With warm weather finally here, light and refreshing appetizers like this one are in high demand. Plus, the colors of the dish are perfect for graduation parties, with the bright red cherry tomatoes, fresh white mozzarella, and fragrant green basil representing the colors of many schools. Whether you’re graduating yourself, or just celebrating someone else’s achievement, these Trader Joe’s Caprese Skewers are sure to make the day even more special!
What you need
Get ready to celebrate graduation season with these fresh and flavorful Trader Joe’s Caprese Skewers that are perfect for any party! Bursting with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella pearls, and fragrant basil leaves, these skewers will impress your guests with their simplicity and deliciousness. The secret ingredient that takes these skewers to the next level is the heavenly Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze, a tangy and sweet sauce that brings all the flavors together and gives the skewers a beautiful shine. Making these skewers is as easy as threading the ingredients together on wooden skewers and drizzling with the glaze. Serve them as an appetizer or side dish and watch the compliments roll in. Don’t forget to make extra, because they’ll go fast!
Ingredients:
- Fresh Mozzarella Pearls – These mini pearls of fresh mozzarella add a creamy and delicate flavor to the skewers. You can replace them with cubed regular mozzarella cheese if you can’t find the pearls.
- Cherry Tomatoes – These bright and juicy cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and freshness. You can use regular tomatoes or grape tomatoes if cherry tomatoes are not available.
- Basil Leaves – The fresh and fragrant basil leaves complement the sweetness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the cheese. You can replace them with other fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley.
- Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze – This tangy and slightly sweet balsamic glaze ties all the flavors together and adds a beautiful shine to the skewers. You can make your own balsamic glaze by reducing balsamic vinegar with sugar.
- Wooden Skewers – These wooden skewers are used to thread the ingredients together and make the skewers. You can use metal skewers if you prefer.
Utensils:
- Bowl – To mix the balsamic glaze and to serve the skewers.
- Whisk – To whisk the balsamic glaze ingredients together.
- Serving Platter – To arrange and serve the skewers.
- Knife – To cut the basil leaves if necessary and to slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Cutting Board – To slice the cherry tomatoes and to cut the cheese if necessary.
- Wooden Skewers – To thread the ingredients together and make the skewers.
Fresh Mozzarella Pearls
I absolutely love using fresh mozzarella pearls in this recipe for Trader Joe’s Caprese skewers. These little balls of cheese are so soft and creamy, with a slightly salty taste that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes and the fresh basil. What’s interesting about them is that they’re specially made to be bite-sized, which makes them perfect for appetizers and finger foods like this. You could try using regular mozzarella cheese instead, but the pearls really add a unique texture and flavor to the skewers. In small amounts, mozzarella is not a bad choice for a snack or appetizer, as it’s lower in fat than many other types of cheese. However, if you’re watching your calorie intake, you might want to limit your intake. Overall, fresh mozzarella pearls are a delicious and interesting ingredient that really make these skewers stand out from the rest.
Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze
Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze is a real game changer when it comes to making these Caprese skewers. This thick and shiny glaze has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that really brings all the ingredients together and gives the skewers a beautiful shine. What’s interesting about it is that it’s a ready-made sauce, which means you don’t have to spend time simmering balsamic vinegar with sugar to make your own glaze. Another cool thing is that you can use this glaze in many other recipes, like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and even on top of pizzas. While balsamic vinegar is generally considered a healthy ingredient, it’s worth noting that this glaze contains added sugar. However, as you’re only using it in small amounts, it won’t have a significant impact on your overall health. Overall, Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze is a must-have ingredient that makes these skewers a total hit at any party.
What to serve it with?
I personally love serving Trader Joe’s Caprese Skewers as a side dish for summer grilling parties. They pair perfectly with grilled chicken, fish or steak, and are a great light option to balance out heavier main courses. I also enjoy serving them with a chilled white wine or a refreshing cocktail like a classic Aperol Spritz. The combination of the juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and sweet balsamic glaze pairs perfectly with the slightly bitter taste of an Aperol Spritz. Trust me, you’ll be coming back for seconds and thirds!
Summary
Thank you for joining me today and letting me share my favorite graduation party recipe – Trader Joe’s Caprese Skewers! I hope you’re feeling inspired to give this appetizer a try and put your own spin on it. Maybe try adding some olives, or swapping out the balsamic glaze for a drizzle of honey for a different take! Let me know in the comments below what ingredients you like to add to your Caprese Salad, or share any fun graduation traditions you and your loved ones have! Don’t forget to photograph your skewers and tag me on Instagram so I can see your delicious creations. Congratulations to all the graduates out there, and cheers to good food and great company!
Here’s the recipe:
Celebrate Graduation with Trader Joe's Caprese Skewers: A Fresh and Flavorful Party Appetizer
Equipment
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Serving Platter
- Knife
- cutting board
- Wooden Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) container Fresh Mozzarella Pearls
- 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Basil Leaves
- 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze
- 8 Wooden Skewers
Instructions
- Make the Balsamic Glaze - In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze and 1 tablespoon of honey. Whisk well until fully combined. - You can adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less honey, depending on your preferences. If you don't have Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze, you can make your own by heating up 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan and simmering until it reduces and thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
- Thread the Skewers - Thread one cherry tomato, one fresh mozzarella pearl, and one basil leaf onto a wooden skewer, in that order. Repeat until all the ingredients are used up (you should end up with about 8 skewers). - Make sure to leave a little bit of space at the end of each skewer so people can hold them easily. You can also add additional ingredients like sliced black olives or red onion for more flavor and color.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze - Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy! -
