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Sun-Dried Tomato Caprese with Smoked Mozzarella

December 27, 2011 by Mary Anne Rittenhouse 16 Comments

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Mary Anne here. Old Man Winter officially arrived last week, yet here at Feast on the Cheap, Mariel and I share a craving for all things tomato. Our Summer Tomato Salad with Brie and Bermuda Onion, The Palm’s Monday Night Salad, or even a hearty Heirloom Tomato and Bread Salad would quell our yearning. Maybe it’s the absence of daylight and some strange mutual deficiency in vitamin C, but this is hardly the best time of year to find plump, juicy, rosy-red tomatos. What I’m seeing at my greengrocer’s is a motley assortment of overpriced hothouse imposters that lack both flavor and texture. Refusing to give into Mother Nature – and since I’m responsible for making a New Year’s Eve appetizer – I created this ersatz Tomato Caprese by swapping out fresh tomatoes with the sun-dried variety, and eschewing the pricey, yet scrawny fresh basil in favor of reliable dried herbs in my pantry. This rendition is a cross between a Fig and Olive Tapenade w/ Sun-dried Tomatoes and the aforementioned fresh tomato salads. No matter what you call it, or how you serve it, this is a close second to enjoying the harvest of summer’s solstice in the dead of winter. And if you’re looking for some New Year’s treats, we’ve got a delicious menu incorporating some of the superstitions to ensure a year filled with good luck. Have a happy, healthy New Year!
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Sun-Dried Tomato Caprese with Smoked Mozzarella

Tip: You can prepare this up to 2 days before. Bring the tomato mixture back to room temperature before serving. Store the toasted baguette rounds in a sealed plastic container.

Serves 10

Ingredients: 4 ozs. sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil – $2.49 2 cloves garlic, minced – stock 1 Teaspoon dried basil – stock ½ Teaspoon dried oregano – stock 1 Teaspoon Balsamic vinegar – stock 2 Teaspoons of the sun-dried tomato oil – included above sea salt and pepper, to taste – stock ½ lb. smoked mozzarella, sliced – $3.84 1 thin French baguette, sliced into ½” thick rounds – $2.29 olive oil – stock garlic powder – stock Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $8.62 Total Per Serving: $0.86 Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the baguette slices on an un-greased cookie sheet. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of garlic powder. 2. Bake the bread for 10 minutes until crisp and the edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack. 3. Meanwhile, coarsely chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Add the herbs, garlic, vinegar, oil form the sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Combine well. 4. Assemble the “brushetta”: Place a slice of the cheese on each toasted round. Top with the Sun-dried Tomato Caprese. Serve at room temperature.

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Filed Under: Holidays, Hors d'Oœuvres, Recipe Index, Recipes Under $10, Spreads, Dips & Salsas, Super Sundays, Vegetarian Tagged With: budget, Christmas, cooking, entertaining, fall, food, healthy, Holidays, Hors d'Oœuvres, Recipes Under $10, vegetarian, winter

About Mary Anne Rittenhouse

The mother in this mother-daughter duo, Mary Anne is a registered nurse who has also worked for over two decades as a professional caterer

Comments

  1. Blog is the New Black says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Looks amazing… yum!!

    Reply
  2. Megan says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:37 am

    These look decadent!

    Reply
  3. Julie M. says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    That seems like a perfect compromise for enjoying the delicious flavor of tomatoes in the off season. Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      December 27, 2011 at 10:25 pm

      Thanks, Julie and a happy new year to you!

      Reply
  4. TraceyJoy says

    December 28, 2011 at 7:21 am

    ooh my these look wonderful and easy to make too, that is what I ♥ about y’all

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      December 29, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks so much, TraceyJoy! Happy, happy new year!

      Reply
  5. Steve @ HPD says

    December 28, 2011 at 8:06 am

    great idea, satisfying the summer craving with sun-dried. got the whole yin-yang thing going on there. cheers and happy 2012!!

    Reply
  6. Liz says

    December 28, 2011 at 8:11 am

    What a fabulous appetizer…love the combo of tomatoes and mozzarella…and this winter version is wonderful!

    Reply
  7. Jeanette says

    December 28, 2011 at 10:43 am

    I do miss those summer tomatoes, but I love your wintry rendition of a warm weather favorite. Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      December 29, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      And a very happy to you, Jeanette!

      Reply
  8. Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} says

    December 28, 2011 at 10:44 am

    This looks fantastic! I had to buy tomatoes at the store the other day instead of picking them from my garden and I must say I was so disappointed. Wish I could have garden fresh tomatoes all year! Something about winter makes me crave a juicy tomato too.

    Reply
  9. Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says

    December 28, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    These look incredible!

    Reply
  10. Rhonda says

    December 29, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    I’ve been on a serious sun dried tomato kick! Smoked mozzarella with them sounds divine, wish I would have thought of it.

    Reply
  11. Cooking Rookie says

    December 30, 2011 at 2:22 am

    This is a lovely recipe! Lovely idea to combine the sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella! Delish like all you recipes :-). Happy 2012, Mary Anne and Mariel!

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      December 30, 2011 at 6:24 pm

      Happy New Year to you!

      Reply
  12. Baker Street says

    January 3, 2012 at 1:25 am

    WOW! Stunning shot and I bet it was beyond delicious! Happy new year! xx

    Reply

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