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Candy Cane Mozzarella and Tomato Board

Name: Candy Cane Mozzarella and Tomato Board
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Yield: 6-8
Ingredients: 2-3 tablespoons SOOC Basil Olive Oil; 2 teaspoons SOOC Garlic Medley Sea Salt; 8 oz fresh ball of mozzarella cheese; 3 large ripe tomatoes; Fresh bunch of basil; Salt and pepper; 1 French baguette for homemade crostini or crackers for serving

Serves

6-8

Prep Time

10 Minutes

A Candy Cane Mozzarella and Tomato Board is a festive, simple, and delicious appetizer that plays on the traditional holiday theme of candy canes by arranging mozzarella and tomatoes into the familiar red and white stripes.

This Candy Cane Mozzarella and Tomato Board combines simplicity, elegance, and the classic flavors of a Caprese salad, but with a delightful seasonal twist. Not only does it resemble the traditional candy cane symbol of Christmas, but it’s also incredibly easy to assemble, requiring only a few key ingredients: fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, basil, some homemade crostini, and of course, olive oil.

This boards simplicity means it pairs well with a variety of other holiday foods, from charcuterie boards to dried and fresh fruits or even marinated or pickled vegetables. The board works as both a starter and an attractive centerpiece on your holiday spread.

Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or enjoying an intimate dinner, this mozzarella and tomato board is a fun way to share the joy of the season while offering guests something delicious. Best of all, you can whip it up in minutes, giving you more time to enjoy the festivities and company!

Ingredients

2-3 tablespoons SOOC Basil Olive Oil
2 teaspoons SOOC Garlic Medley Sea Salt
8 oz fresh ball of mozzarella cheese
3 large ripe tomatoes
Fresh bunch of basil
Salt and pepper
1 French baguette for homemade crostini or crackers for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice baguette into ¼ inch slices and lay on top of a parchment lined baking sheet. Coat bread with olive oil and place in the oven.

Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes into even, round slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Flip crostini to the other side and add more olive oil if needed. Place back into the oven for another 3-5 minutes.

On a large wooden serving board or a platter, begin by laying down alternating slices of mozzarella and tomato in a curved “candy cane” shape. Start from one end of the board and work your way across, making sure each mozzarella slice is followed by a tomato slice to mimic the candy cane stripes.

Add basil leaves or small clusters of basil to the board. Drizzle the candy cane with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired and then place the warm crostini on the board or in a small bowl nearby for guests to serve themselves.