Description
A festive and visually stunning Caprese Christmas Wreath featuring fresh basil, baby bocconcini, and cherry tomatoes arranged beautifully with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and optional balsamic glaze for a perfect holiday appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 bunch basil
- 100 g (3.5 ounces) baby bocconcini balls
- 250 g (8.8 ounces) cherry tomatoes
Seasoning
- 30 ml (1 ½ tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt flakes – to taste
- Freshly ground pepper – to taste
- Balsamic glaze – to serve, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the platter. Choose a large, white platter for an attractive presentation and maximum visual impact.
- Wash and dry basil. Gently wash the basil leaves and dry them to avoid bruising, then remove the leaves from the stems.
- Arrange basil. Decoratively place the basil leaves around the edge of the platter to form the base of the wreath.
- Place tomatoes and bocconcini. Evenly arrange the cherry tomatoes and bocconcini balls on top of the basil leaves.
- Prepare in advance (optional). You can prepare the salad up to this stage ahead of time. If refrigerated, bring it back to room temperature before serving.
- Add seasoning before serving. Just before serving, season with sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Optionally, drizzle balsamic glaze on top for added flavor.
Notes
- Handle fresh basil gently as it bruises easily.
- Bocconcini are small fresh mozzarella balls available in various sizes; this recipe uses the small, cherry-sized ones measured by weight.
- Tablespoon measurement varies by country; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml in Australia and 15 ml in many other countries. Adjust olive oil quantity accordingly.
- For best flavor and texture, use sea salt flakes such as Maldon sea salt.
- Nutritional values are approximate and based on four servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
