Looking for the perfect appetizer for NYE? Look no further! Mozzarella-Filled Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze will fit perfectly on your party menu!
This fun appetizer can be on the table in no time (unless your kids are anything like mine in which case it will never make it to the table….) Read on!
A few Christmases ago I prepared a few dishes that were outside the scope of our traditional meal. One of those dishes included balsamic glaze.
I was so excited…feeling more gourmet than usual – cooking away and imagining the oohs and ahhhs I would receive upon presenting this gorgeous glaze.
No such thing would happen.
Have you ever prepared a balsamic vinegar glaze?
If yes – you know exactly what I’m talking about. If no – you’ll learn upon making this recipe.
Balsamic vinegar, while cooking down, creates…wellll, I’m just going to say it, an alarmingly pungent aroma.
And right about now my kids are thinking that I am completely understating it.
Case in point: On that early Christmas morn, as I was working away in the kitchen, Dom came downstairs and ever-so-gingerly asks the question, “What’s that smell?” To which I reply, “Oh, you must mean the balsamic glaze.” To which he responds, “The kids are gagging on the balcony and promise to not come back in until it’s gone.” “What? That can’t be true.” “It’s true; they are outside in their pajamas and cannot, will not, come in until they know it’s safe.”
Yep, my kids were literally woken from their slumber not by visions of sugar plums, but by aromas of balsamic vinegar that caused them to head straight for the door.
Needless to say, there was no balsamic glaze included on that holiday table because of course I had a choice to make – Kids? Glaze? Kids? Glaze? It took me a minute but kids won. Which was completely unfortunate because once you get passed the cooking process you are left with the most magnificent, sweet, rich, caramel-ly tasting glaze you’ll ever have. I was weak! There were three of them and only one of me!
Which brings us to today…and an empty house…and the chance to finally make my glaze…
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 lb. low-moisture mozzarella
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 – 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
- Prepare tomatoes by cutting just enough off the bottoms so they stand tall on the plate.
- Next, cut a small amount off the top and scoop out the center.
- Cut mozzarella into small cubes to fit the center of the hollowed out tomatoes.
- Fill each tomato with mozzarella.
- Place tomatoes on serving platter.
- In the meantime, in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, pour balsamic vinegar and add the chopped garlic.
- Cook down until a glaze is formed, about 20 minutes, or when the vinegar coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Drizzle glaze over tomatoes.
- Add salt and pepper (to taste).
- Serve.
Pairing this glaze with sweet little cherry tomatoes that have been carved out to accommodate perfect little chunks of mozzarella makes for an eating experience that is rather special. The glaze puddles in and around our garnet baubles creating a bite that bursts with flavor.
I’ll try again…they’re older now…they’ll like it…right?
Buon Appetito!
More holiday appetizers:
Italian-style Fried Polenta with Greens & Pancetta
Mozzarella-Filled Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze
- Category: Appetizer
Description
Looking for the perfect appetizer for NYE? Look no further! Mozzarella-Filled Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze will fit perfectly on your party menu!
Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 lb. low-moisture mozzarella
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 – 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare tomatoes by cutting just enough off the bottoms so they stand tall on the plate.
- Next, cut a small amount off the top and scoop out the center.
- Cut mozzarella into small cubes to fit the center of the hollowed out tomatoes.
- Fill each tomato with mozzarella.
- Place tomatoes on serving platter.
- In the meantime, in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, pour balsamic vinegar and add the chopped garlic.
- Cook down until a glaze is formed, about 20 minutes, or when the vinegar coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Drizzle glaze over tomatoes.
- Add salt and pepper (to taste).
- Serve.
Ciao!
Thanks for this lovely share, these cherry tomatoes seem terrific! 😀
Thank you, Lily!
These are just gorgeous! Such a simple and divine appetizer!
Thank you, Ashley!
This balsamic glaze sounds great! Love the way you stuffed the tomatoes! Just have to find some good fresh tomatoes ! Pinned 🙂
Thanks, Mira! This balsamic glaze is rich and tasty!
What a delicious idea for a snack or appetizer! So many awesome flavors going on!! 🙂
Oh yes! Thanks, Christina!! 🙂
What a delicious spring dish. I would love to make these for a light appetizer.
Thanks, Erin! Buon Appetito!
Hahaha that is the cutest story! It’s so funny how we parents get so excited over certain foods and then our kids won’t have anything to do with them even when we think they’ll love them. I could drink up balsamic glaze all on its own so these cute little bites would be a big winner at our house! They look fantastic!
That is so true! I thought – look at this – the kids are going to love it! Hahah! Best laid plans, right? This is such a fun appetizer…Enjoy!
Annie, oh my gawd, I love these!!!! balsamic glaze over everything!!!! LOVE the chopped garlic in the balsamic glaze . . I’ve never done that before!!! love love love!!!
I am a nut for garlic…and this glaze allows the sweetness of the garlic to shine through just enough. Thanks, Alice!
Loved reading your story, Annie! This appetizer is so vibrant and delectable. I loved the idea of using balsamic vinegar. Can’t wait to try! YUM YUM! 🙂
Thank you, Anu! This is a holiday story I’ll never forget! And these little beauties are delectable!
Too funny! I remember my first balsamic glaze – it was a disaster! I reduced it way too far, it ended up turning into cement. Seriously, I left the spoon in pan and it was stuck! It took some chiseling, but I finally got the spoon out 😉
This is such a beautiful dish, Annie. Just a few great ingredients with a ton of flavor, it’s one of the many things I love about Italian cooking 🙂
Hahah! I can picture that – it takes no time for the glaze to go from perfect to burnt… You make a very great point about Italian cooking – best ingredients, not too many, delicious flavor! Thanks, dear!
These are so cute Annie! I bet your kids will enjoy it now, they are grown up after all 😀
Hahah! You think so? I do too! Their tastes have definitely developed over the years! I’m going for it! Thanks, Manali!
Hi Annie, cute post, I always buy balsamic prepared, will have to try this sometime.
It’s so simple…definitely worth a try! Thanks, Cheri!
Love that story, Annie! Those kids don’t know what they are missing. This looks like such a delicious, colorful appetizer. Pinning!
Thanks, friend! Haha! I know – and actually after reading the post, my oldest daughter said that now that she’s older, she thinks she’s ready to try it…but maybe I could make it while she’s out of the house! 🙂
Can’t wait to stink up the house. I love balsamic vinegar. The older and goppier the better/
Oh yeah!! I am with you!
3 things that go so perfectly together. I think this would be great for a dinner party.
They’re a nice little trio! This would be lovely for a dinner party…Thanks, Dannii!
Those are so cute, and I’m sure absolutely delicious! What a perfect appetizer!
It’s a fun little plate of food! Thanks, Stacey!
I love when my whole house smells like balsamic reducing! It makes my eyes water in the best way.
Did it take you forever to carve out all those tiny tomatoes? Looks worth it regardless 🙂
Awww! I can see that! Yes, it was a bit labor intensive but with the right knife I flew right through. Definitely worth it!
These are so pretty! What a fun little appetizer sure to please!! Love it! 🙂 Great recipe as usual!!
Thanks, Cailee! It is a fun appetizer! Enjoy!
This is so creative, Annie! I love it! I think I would keep popping these cuties in my mouth all day long. Mozzarella and tomatoes make the perfect combo!
Thanks, Gayle!! I’m always looking for new ways to play with those two ingredients! They’re one of my favorite combos! 🙂
My dad used to make sauerkraut and I couldn’t stand being in the house when he did it. Oh it was awful! I like it now, though… good stuff! hehe! I’ve not made balsamic glaze, but I can imagine the wafting odor of vinegar… your poor kiddos! Perhaps they’ll like it now! Certainly! Love this recipe, Annie! Delightful, creamy, refreshing and full of flavor! I can’t wait to give it a try! xo
Haha! Oh yes – I can imagine that too! This really is quite good. I’m sure they could hang in long enough now for the reward of this glaze! 🙂 Thanks, friend! xo
That’s funny. I have bought caramelized balsamic vinegar but haven’t reduced my own. I would LOVE these little bites of goodness.
They’re so good, Maureen! And it’s pretty likely your first time experience making the glaze won’t be quite as dramatic as mine! Thanks!!