Some of the best food is simple food. I know it isn’t technically summer yet, but since I’ve moved “out to the porch” where I can count the runners going by, listen to the birds, and monitor the health of the ferns, (to water or not to water?) I’m in the mood for summer food.
Last weekend we had an open house for JoHanna’s friends after graduation, and we used some of her favorite simple foods for easy appetizers enjoyed by all. These would be perfect for a Memorial Day cookout or picnic.
Tortellini, Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Skewers
These need-no-silverware appetizers would also be so easy to take on a picnic. We used a few for lunches the day after the grad celebration. It’s really all about assembly of fresh ingredients. Here’s what I did:
- Marinade the cheese for 2 days I purchased fresh mozzarella balls from Trader Joe’s in a container that gives about 25 for $3.49. It was the most expensive item on my list. I drained the liquid and replaced it with about 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1 tsp. of dried oregano, and a sprinkling of sea salt.
- On the day before assembly: cook a 12 oz bag of frozen tortellini. Drain the hot liquid and replace with cold. When it’s fully cool, drain and chill the pasta overnight.
- Also purchase or grow: a pint of grape tomatoes (Aldi sells them for about $1.49), a bunch of basil, and a package of bamboo skewers about 6 inches long.
Assemble skewers on party day:
Drain the cheese & do not rinse; save that awesome oil marinade to pour over any leftover pasta for an instant pasta salad. You could add some olives, cheese cubes, and cucumbers to make it special.
Onto each skewer, thread in this order: 1 tortellini, 1 basil leaf, 1 tomato, cheese ball, 1 tomato. Stand them up in a spoon high dish or lie them down on a platter. These made great party food, and when most of the guests are runners … they’re happy for the healthy fare. This makes about 25 skewers; I doubled it for a batch of 50.
Chill (the skewers AND yourself!) until you are ready to eat.
This is light and fresh and easy to eat. You’ll think it’s already summer too!
What are cooking on this Feed Me Friday?
We are having a Memorial Day cookout with family & friends. This will be perfect to add to the ribs, wings & fruit salad we are serving :-). Thanks for the great idea friend :-).
Love this idea! I’m going to try it as soon as it’s pay day and I can buy the ingredients 🙂 Right now we’re in the “eat what’s in the cupboard” stage of the pay period! But this recipe sounds so light and fresh and summery! Can’t wait!
Ah, that part of the pay period generates lots of creativity in my kitchen. If you have an Aldi’s near you, I buy their dry tortellini, or I’ve also purchased the frozen tortellini from my Kroger store. That’s cheaper than buying fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section. Enjoy your summer fare!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. This might be something fun to make with my grandchildren this summer. If you get a chance stop by my blog Recipe for Life and check out some of my family favorite recipes at: http://deborah-bateman.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Deborah H. Bateman – Author
Thank you Deborah! I’ll look forward to stopping by to check out your recipes. I love the title “Recipe for Life”! And you are so right … this would be great to assemble with kids in the kitchen.