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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 christmas bruschetta, Christmas cheese platter, and Christmas appetizer platter for other showstopping ideas that will get everyone into the festive spirit.
Smiling Santa Caprese
Equipment
- metal straw
- small round cookie cutter
- medium round cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 5 large tomatoes
- 3 balls mozzarella
- 2 slices ham
- 2 black olives
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and the mozzarella.
- Use the medium round cookie cutter to shape the mozzarella discs (if you want uniform discs).
- Arrange the top piece of mozzarella for the bobble.
- Place the tomato slices for the red part of the hat. I did 2 in the first row, then 3, then 5.
- Fold two pieces of ham for the face.
- Make a row of mozzarella discs under the hat and around the face for the beard.
- Halve a mozzarella disc to shape the mustache.
- Shape the white part of the eyes with mozzarella and a small round cookie cutter.
- Slice the tips of 2 olives for the pupils.
- Use a metal straw for the mozzarella eye highlight.
- Place an end-piece of tomato on the face for the nose.
- Arrange tomatoes to make Santa’s suit.
- Line the space between the suit and Santa’s beard with fresh basil.
- Halve an olive and cut a sliver for Santa’s smile.
- Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of sea salt to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
