Mini Caprese Bites

Had a great weekend at an indoor water park not to far from home, super fun - maybe not something a sick person should be doing all weekend (so feeling it today), but it was promised, planned and paid for, so off we went. Still very much under the weather and I've got nothing.  When I've got nothing, you get recipes...

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Mini Caprese Bites
(Adapted from Southern Living recipe)

Bites
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved (cherry tomatoes will stand up better in your serving dish if you are using toothpicks).
10-14 fresh small mozzarella balls (8oz. container, cut to size)
32 wooden toothpicks (you could use skewers and make these into kabobs as well)

Dressing
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 to 1 tsp mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Splash of OJ or lemon juice if you happen to have it around
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Garnish
6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Whisk together dressing ingredients and let sit while you assemble "bites". Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each toothpick. Place toothpicks in a shallow serving dish. They should "stand up".  Or alternately skewer several servings onto a long wooden skewer and lay down in your serving dish. Drizzle dressing over "bites" and sprinkle with fresh basil.