Matt Armendariz’s new cookbook On A Stick! is fun. It’s well designed and of course, beautifully photographed (Matt is a professional food photographer who blogs at Matt Bites.) But above all else, it’s really fun. And according to Matt, not only is food on a stick more fun, it tastes better.
So to put his theory to the test and add some fun to our Memorial Day weekend, I made an entire meal on sticks. All of the food I made was inspired by recipes in the book – Fruit Salad Skewers, Grilled Pineapple Skewers, Chicken Kabobs with Orange Teriyaki Glaze and Caprese on a Stick.
We absolutely loved the Orange Teriyaki Glaze and I’ll post the Chicken Kabobs recipe later in the week. But the Caprese on a Stick was so good, it deserves a post of it’s own. I want it to be listed in my recipe index so I’ll be reminded next time I’m looking for a great appetizer to take to a party.
Of course one of the great things about stick food is that you can change it up any way you like. Matt’s original recipe uses Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella balls, but Costco was selling Mozzarella pearls, which were the perfect size to pair with grape tomatoes. I drizzled mine with a little balasmic vinegar and olive oil after I took the pictures.
Caprese On A Stick!
Ingredients
- 12 small bamboo skewers
- 24 grape tomatoes
- 36 fresh mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes not in oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and Pepper
- Balsamic vinegar and olive oil optional
Instructions
- Alternate grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves on small bamboo skewers.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, if desired.
This weekend I opted for light and healthy recipes from On A Stick! but I’m sure I’ll get around to making some of the more indulgent recipes like fried ravioli, corn dogs, or the one I’ve been drooling over, Cheesecake on A Stick.
I was sent a free copy of On A Stick! from the publisher to review. I received no compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.
This post is part of Get Grillin’ with Family Fresh Cooking and Cookin’ Canuck, sponsored by Ile de France Cheese,Rösle, Emile Henry, Rouxbe and ManPans.
Yuri
I already ordered my copy of this book. Food on a stick is always fun 🙂
sweetlife
great choice!! I spotted this recipe, but the deep fried pineapple funnels were too sinful to pass up. love the pics!!
sweetlife
Rocky Mountain Woman
I make these a lot when I cater. They just fly right off the tray!!
Bonnie
Quite possibly the prettiest salad I have ever seen. Love the whole look and I know it tastes good if you made it.
jessica
Love it! So fresh and perfect for summer. Caprese is one of my favorites to eat but sometimes it can be hard the way some people put it together on a plate. I am loving the idea of it on a stick! Awesome
Ashley@Bakerbynature
My Mama makes these @ BBQs all the time; such a lovely idea to turn a classic salad into finger food.
Juliana
Barbara, love all the “on a stick”, they are colorful, easy to serve and so cute. Love the idea. Hope you are having a great week 🙂
Angie's Recipes
How fun of having salad on a stick!
Megan
What a terrific and fun book. When I first started my blog, I posted a luncheon I did at church and we had caprese on a stick! Always a hit.
Miriam Barton
I LOVE this post! For some reason food is new and exciting to my children if they get to eat it off of a stick :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Kathy
How fun… Now if only Costco wasn’t 50 miles away!!! I’m having fun making the food from posts, and this looks like it will be a hit. (With the adults in the family, at least)
NoPotCoooking
These are so cute! I was looking at that cookbook on AMazon and now I just may have to buy it.
mamatkamal
So cute!
Cheers
Nell
I love food on a stick! This could make so many versions, plus you are right perfect to take to a party.
Little swords of foods.. love it!
RJ Flamingo
Aren’t these fun? I did something nearly identical last year for my Mom’s 90th birthday party, and again just a few months ago for a get together, and they were a huge hit both times! People really do love food they can pick up on a stick. Very pretty!
Tracey
What a fun idea – perfect party food! I can’t wait to see the chicken recipe, that sounds like it’s right up our alley here 🙂
rebecca
oh these are fun great idea
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
I’m convinced everyone fun loves food on a stick! These look fabulous mum! 😀 xxx
Cara
Cheesecake on a stick sounds like my kind of stick food!
teresa
i’ve been hearing a lot about this book, i need to check it out. these look marvelous, i love that it has sundried tomatoes on it.