Shelly's Recipe

SUN-DRIED TOMATO-MOZZARELLA APPETIZERS

Category: Cold

1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 lb mozzarella cheese, part skim milk, diced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp fresh basil leaf, minced
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed*
Black pepper

Cut mozzarella into 1/4-inch cubes. Chop fresh basil leaves finely. Mince garlic clove; use more garlic if preferred. Combine the cheese, basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and black pepper in small bowl. Add the olive oil and blend well. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour to blend flavors.

Just before serving, prepare cherry tomatoes by removing the stem end, cutting a thin slice from bottom of tomato to keep it setting straight and removing center from tomatoes with melon baller or small spoon. Sprinkle inside of tomatoes very lightly with salt and invert on paper towels to drain briefly.

Stuff the tomatoes with the cheese mixture, garnish with small basil leaves and serve immediately.

NOTE: If using oil-packed tomatoes, drain well and pat dry. Mince. If using dehydrated, soak in water for a few minutes according to directions on pkg. Dry, then mince.