nakedbrunch catering relaunched

I started this blog two years ago and I have to admit that I haven't been very diligent in writing entries. Recently, I've relaunched "nakedbrunch catering" (on hiatus for several years) and in the last few months, I've been testing recipes and creating new dishes. So keep checking this blog regularly as I promise to share recipes, food stories, entertaining ideas and pics of our catering events.

www.nakedbrunch.com

(thanks to my friend Charmain Foon for the logo design: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/charmainefoondesign)

The nakedbrunch catering team

getus@nakedbrunch.com

Caprese Canapes

Here's a simple appetizer perfect for the summer using tomatoes, which is now in season. You can use a wide variety of tomatoes available locally. I was inspired by the classic Italian salad Insalata Caprese, a first course dish of tomatoes, mozzarella di buffala (Canadian buffalo mozzarella or boconcinni cheese is good alternative), fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. Seasonings such as balsamic vinegar, sea salt and fresh ground pepper complete the dish.

We served this appetizer at our friends Dave and Rey's Hurry Up Spring Party back in late April and it was a crowd favourite. The secret is the quality and freshness of the ingredients. One tip when preparing food: the simpler the dish, the more it demands high quality, fresh ingredients. (Think raw oysters or sashimi!).

For our catering event, we used puff pastry crostini and reduced balsamic vinegar, but here's a simpler recipe, requiring less preparation.

Ingredients:

1             French baguette (sliced)

3             tomatoes (sliced)

2             buffalo mozzarella or 4 large bocconcini cheese (sliced)

12           large basil leaves

3Tbsp     extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp    balsamic vinegar

pinch      sea salt (or coarse/Kosher salt)

pinch      fresh ground pepper

1. Slice baguette on a bias 1/2 inch thick.

2. On each baguette slice, put a slice of tomato and buffalo mozarella.

3. Top each with a basil leaf.

4. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

5. Sprinkle sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

Yield: 12

Note:

Baguette slices can be toasted in the oven, brushed with olive oil for 10-12 minutes at 350 F.

Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar at the very last minute.