Prep Time: 40 min.
Remind everyone who’s coming to town with a fun and festive Smiling Santa Caprese featuring mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
This delicious platter works well as a side salad or as a fun Christmas party appetizer served with toasted crostini or my delicious no-knead focaccia.
You can even make small portion-sized Santas using bocconcini (mozzarella balls ) and cherry tomatoes, so everyone gets their own.
Feel free to omit the ham if you prefer, and simply use the chopping board for Santa’s face.
Check out my festive bruschetta, cheesy snowman, and tomato mozzarella Christmas sock for other showstopping appetizers that will get everyone into the festive spirit.
Ingredients
- 5 tomatoes
- 3 mozzarella
- 2 ham slices
- 2 black olives
- fresh basil leaves
- olive oil
- balsamic glaze
- sea salt
- medium round cookie cutter
- small round cookie cutter
- metal straw
Instructions
Serves 6-8 people.
1. Slice the tomatoes and the mozzarella.
2. Use the medium round cookie cutter to shape the mozzarella discs (if you want uniform discs, but this is not necessary).
3. Arrange the first piece of mozzarella for the bobble.
4. Place the tomato slices for the red part of the hat. I did 2 in the first row, then 3, then 5.
5. Fold two pieces of ham for the face.
6. Make a row of mozzarella discs under the hat and around the face for the beard.
7. Halve a mozzarella disc to shape the mustache.
8. Slice the tips of 2 olives for the pupils. Shape the white part of the eyes with a small round cookie cutter, and use a metal straw for the mozzarella highlight.
9. Place an end-piece of tomato on the face for the nose.
10. Depending on the size of your board, make Santa’s suit as I've done using tomatoes.
11. Line the space between the suit and Santa’s beard with fresh basil.
12. Use an olive for Santa’s smile.
13. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of sea salt to serve.
Notes
Chop any leftovers to make a mini salad or top it on pizza or pasta.
