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!
I love these and have used them many times. I do find that Buffalo Mozzarella is too soft and that a good grocery store fresh cow’s milk mozzarella which is a little more firm works better.
Thank you for the great recipe and Happy New Year, Annie!
I agree about the mozzarella! 100%! Thanks for stopping by, Mason! Happy New Year!
What a great healthy appetizer, very creative! Can’t wait to give these a try!
Thanks, Kevin! Happy New Year!
Fabulous! And so easy. I have some really high quality balsamic, so I wouldn’t even have to make the glaze. Happy New Year!
Why didn’t I think of that? 😉 Happy New Year!
Oh you’re so right. That smell is something else! But the result is so worth it; I think I could drink balsamic glaze with a straw. But I’ll try to save a little for these tomatoes because they sound delicious!
Yep, that glaze is good – but drizzled on tomatoes – all the better! Thanks, Kelsie!!
Annie, this is the perfect little appetizer and so cute! The balsamic glaze sounds wonderful. Thanks for the heads up on making it when the kids aren’t home. So funny imagining your kids’ reaction – it must be very pungent! Happy Holidays my friend!
Aren’t they adorable? I think so too! Happy Holidays, my friend!
That glaze looks so delicious and would go so beautifully with the mozzarella and tomatoes! Such a perfect appetiser for New Year’s! ?
Thank you, Samina! Happy new year, my friend!
These are spectacular and so easy! Definitely see why it is hard to actually get them to the table:)
So easy and so delish!! Thanks, friend!
Haha, I made my own balsamic glaze once and I think my husband was about to evacuate the house!! My cat had to go outside because his eyes were starting to burn! Now I’m lazy and just buy it! These cheese stuffed tomatoes look like the perfect little bites!
Hahah! I think anyone who has ever made it has their own horror story! Your poor cat! Thanks, Izzy!! 🙂
What a wonderful idea ! My kids will love this !
I saw your blog in Maureen’s blog 😉
Awhh! Thank you, Eva! I appreciate that! Thanks for stopping by!
Annie…so simple and so good!!I could never say no to this. Tomatoes and mozzarella is a win-win combination, and the glaze is icing on cake.
You betcha! I can never say no to this, either! Thanks, Oriana!
I, for one, LOOOVVEEE balsamic glaze…so you can make it in my apartment any time! It is so perfect on tomatoes and I love how cute these are with the cheese stuffing!
Isn’t it delicious?! I’ll make if for you, anytime!! Thanks, Joanne!
I found your blog today through Orgasmic Chef, Maureen. And what a lovely recipe to find. 🙂 It sounds so good. 🙂
That is awesome! Isn’t her blog fantastic? Thank you so much, Krista! I’m excited to head on over to yours!
These are such an awesome idea, Annie! These wouldn’t make it to the table in our house either because they look incredible. Pinned 😉
I tell you what, Dom and I finished them off in no time! It’s easy to do! Thanks, Danielle!
Annie, I am just over here from Maureen’s blog after giggling over her hair envy. SO GLAD she loves your blog as much as I do! And this recipe is a classic example of WHY – I mean seriously, this is such an awesome party food idea! I was scouring Pinterest for ideas last night and nothing interested me as much as this!! I’m helping a friend cater a party this weekend. I’m making this!! 🙂
You make me so happy! I’m so glad that I met Maureen through Food Bloggers Central! You guys rock!! I hope you enjoy this appetizer… Have fun, my friend! 🙂
simple and simply delicious
You got it! Thank you, Kelsey!
Hahaha! I’ve been a victim of balsamic glaze myself and have decided that I need to just purchase it, since the cooking odor is not good for my asthma. My family would be all over this appetizer, Annie! Thanks for the cute idea.
Wow – it’s certainly not worth the health concern! I love that your family would love this! Thanks, friend!
Annie, I am still laughing at the kids Christmas “Balsamic Glaze” mutiny! The idea of them sending Dom downstairs to ask you, “what the heck?” Is hilarious! Especially since I know for a fact how much they LOVE their Momma’s recipes – from simply to elegant! ❤ Ann
I must correct you…they didn’t ask…they demanded! Hahahah! Yep – out on the balcony refusing to come in….It was however, the holiday that I made PW’s mushrooms…. I redeemed myself! Thanks, dearest! 🙂
Annie, cheery tomatoes and balsamic, perfect combo, I can taste the deliciousness! yumm!
Thank you, Savita! It is so good!