2010_08_17-Tomatoes00.jpgSummer is slowly coming to a close, but tomato season is still in full swing. In honor of the great tomato, here is a fresh and tasty appetizer perfect for outdoor entertaining. These tomato bites are the perfect marriage of juicy cherry tomato, dense mozzarella, and basil. You can even stick a toothpick in them to make them more party-friendly.

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Cherry Tomato Bites
Serves 6-8 as an appetizer

1 pint cherry tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella, cubed
Olive oil
Salt
Fresh ground pepper
Basil, julienned

Cut a small slice off the end of each tomato so that they sit level. (Make sure not to cut too big of a slice or else the cup won't have a bottom.)

Make another slice on the opposite side of the tomato and scoop out the pulp inside using a mellon baller or small spoon. Be careful not to puncture the skin on the bottom. (Don't worry about what it looks like because it will soon be stuffed.)

Season the tomato cups with salt and pepper. Place a cube of mozerella in each cup. You can experiment with the size of the mozzarella, but I prefer overstuffed tomatoes.

Drizzle olive oil over the stuffed tomatoes. Garnish each bite with a bit of basil. Transfer the bites onto a serving platter and chill until ready to serve.

Zoe Nachman is a graphic designer, photographer, and cook based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Related: Appetizer: Tomato and Mozzarella Skewers with Basil Oil

(Images: Zoe Nachman)