Today I’m joining friends Cindy, Annie, Mary Ann, Kim and Elizabeth to share easy recipes for outdoor dining and entertaining. I’m making a crowd pleasing caprese dip with toasted baguette slices to bring to a friend’s backyard BBQ. Caprese dip is as beautiful as it is yummy and everyone will love it and ask for the recipe.
Last weekend we were invited to a friend’s backyard barbecue so of course I asked ‘what can I bring?’ … an appetizer, she said!
My recipe binder, along with the majority of my cookbooks, are in storage so I went to Pinterest and quickly settled on What Molly Made’s Caprese Dip.
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Everyone loves a caprese salad … and bruschetta. This recipe is sort a marriage of the two in the form of a cheesy dip. Yum.
Caprese Dip is easy to make and transport and, better yet, totally delicious. Everyone devoured it and asked for the recipe.
Let’s get started ~
Shopping List:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil pesto
- Garlic
- Sour Cream
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Provolone
- Baguette
Pantry Items:
- EVOO
- Salt & Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
Caprese Dip
Here’s how to put it together (complete recipe & instructions linked at the end) …
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Add 1 cup of whole cherry tomatoes to a 2 quart baking dish. Drizzle with a tbsp extra virgin olive oil, top with 2 tbsp pesto, 5 cloves minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss together and bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup chopped basil. Add 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cut small pieces, 1 cup shredded provolone, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste.
- When tomatoes are done, add cheese mixture to the baking dish and combine. Cut remaining (1 cup) tomatoes and arrange on top of the cheese.
- Bake for another 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with more chopped basil and serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Toasted Baguette Slices
Everyone has their own method of toasting bread. Mine is to slice the baguette on the diagonal into 1/2″ slices, place on a baking sheet, cut a garlic clove in half and rub the cut side over each baguette slice. Brush the tops with melted butter, sprinkle with kosher salt and bake for 4-5 minutes at 400°
Ta Da … Caprese Dip with Toasted Baguette Slices!
Click here for the complete recipe.
Getting it to the party ~
Transporting a hot dish can be a challenge. I’ve tried many ways, including wrapped in towels, in a cardboard drinks flat. There have been mishaps, like spills in the back seat and trunk. Ugh. Last year I broke down and bought a casserole carrier. My Southern mama is smiling down from heaven … and wondering what in the world took so long.
And there you have it, a delicious, crowd pleasing dip to bring to a summer – or fall – BBQ.
Let’s visit my friends to see what deliciousness they’ve got cooking ~
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