Caprese Crostini with Blistered Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella

For this Caprese Crostini recipe, crusty Italian bread slices are layered with homemade pesto, smoked mozzarella, blistered cherry tomatoes, and a homemade balsamic reduction. It’s the perfect appetizer or snack for summer entertaining!

Love fresh summer recipes like this one? Then you’ve got to try my Zucchini Noodles with Blistered Tomatoes and Pesto and my 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta!

Homemade Caprese Crostini with Blistered Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella

This appetizer sounds a lot more complicated than it is. That’s what I love about it! It’s as impressive as it is delicious. Plus, it comes together in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for family dinners, summer barbecues, or game nights!

It begins with a loaf of crusty Italian bread, some fresh tomatoes, basil and my favorite smoked mozzarella cheese. If you have trouble finding smoked mozzarella you can always substitute regular mozzarella. (Although, it’s totally worth the effort to track it down.) It has all of the flavors of summer I love rolled onto one piece of toast!

Why You Should Be Blistering Your Cherry Tomatoes

Searing the cherry tomatoes in a hot pan gives them a nice caramelization on the outside and makes the sweet tomatoes savory. To blister the tomatoes simply add a bit of olive oil to a cast iron skillet over high heat. When the pan is nice and hot add in the tomatoes and cook until they are nice and caramelized on the outside and soft to the touch. They make an awesome side dish, too.

Don’t Forget the Homemade Pesto and Balsamic Reduction!

To save some time you can always use store-bought pesto, but I highly recommend making your own from scratch. If you don’t have basil or pine nuts, feel free to substitute different herbs and nuts. The best thing about this pesto is that you will have some leftover to keep in the fridge or freeze.

And you can’t have a caprese dish without the balsamic reduction. It pulls everything together with a bright, flavorful bite. It is simply balsamic vinegar and brown sugar simmered down until it’s reduced by half and nice and thick. it’s the perfect way to marry together all the different flavors and elements of this Caprese Crostini!

How To Make Homemade Caprese Crostini

• Add olive oil to a large cast iron skillet over high heat to sear the tomatoes until they are caramelized on the outside and tender, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
• Broil sliced bread for 2-3 minutes in a single layer on a baking sheet until crispy (but not overly dry).
• Assemble the Caprese Crostinis by spooning some pesto onto each piece of toast, then adding a slice of cheese before broiling again until the cheese has melted. Then, remove from the oven and top with the blistered tomatoes and a heavy drizzle of the balsamic reduction.
• Garnish with extra fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

More Recipes To Try

Caprese Crostini with Blistered Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella

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Crusty Italian Bread layered with homemade pesto, smoked mozzarella, blistered cherry tomatoes and a homemade balsamic reduction. Perfect for summer entertaining!

Servings: 12 crostinis

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients 

Caprese Crostini with Blistered Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 12 slices smoked mozzarella
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 12 slices of crusty baguette
• basil pecan pesto, recipe follows
• chopped basil for garnish, if desired

Basil Pecan Pesto

• 1 cup basil
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper

Balsamic Reduction

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Instructions 

Caprese Crostini with Blistered Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella

• Add olive oil to a large cast iron skillet. Over high heat sear the tomatoes until they are caramelized on the outside and become tender, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
• Meanwhile, place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp up. Keep and eye on them so they do not burn.
• Take out of the oven and spoon some pesto onto each crostini. (You will have pesto leftover).
• Next place 1 slice of cheese onto each crostini. Place them back under the broiler until the cheese has melted.
• Take out of the oven and top with the blistered tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
• Garnish with extra fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve immediately.

Basil Pecan Pesto

• Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside until you are ready to assemble your crostini.

Balsamic Reduction

• Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce has reduced by half. Keep warm until ready to use.

Notes

Original recipe from chefsavvy.com. Please do not publish my recipe or pictures without linking back to the original post. Thank you!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 10gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 381mgPotassium: 177mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 490IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 183mgIron: 2mg

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