These little pearls of Mozzarella-stuffed cherry tomatoes make a tasty starter or appetizer for your next party or family gathering.

• 20 cherry tomatoes

• 20 Mozzarella cheese pearls

• 2 TBSN extra virgin olive oil

• 2 TBSN fresh basil leaves, separated and kept whole

• A pinch salt

• A pinch ground black pepper

• (optional) balsamic vinegar

• (optional) minced garlic

LOOKING FOR OTHER INGREDIENT ALTERNATIVES TO USE IN THIS RECIPE?

Click the icon below to view ingredient alternatives that satisfy the following dietary needs:

Medium mixing bowl, mixing spoon, measuring spoons, aluminum foil, measuring cups, sharp carving knife Prep: 10 minutes prep Ready: 10 minutes Serves: 20

1. Slice the tops of the tomatoes and gently spoon out seeds and meat of the tomatoes.

Optional: add a pinch of minced garlic inside the tomato before adding the cheese for a little touch of garlic.

2. Place a basil leaf behind a Mozzarella cheese pearl, and wedge both inside a hollowed tomato. Repeat until all 20 tomatoes are stuffed with pearls and basil leaves.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and add a dash of freshly ground pepper.

4. Optional: drizzle balsamic vinegar near the bottoms to dip, if preferred.

• Calories: 104

• Total Fat: 7.3g

• Saturated Fat: 3.0g

• Cholesterol: 18mg

• Sodium: 179mg

• Potassium: 102mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 2.4g

• Dietary Fiber: 0.4g

• Protein: 7.2g

• Sugars: 0g

The heart-healthy unsaturated fat in olive oil helps lower your levels of “bad” cholesterol. By choosing the extra virgin variety, you get a stronger concentration of phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, its fruity fragrance seeps into the warm bread and offsets the sharpness of garlic quite beautifully. Olive oil also contains vitamins E and K, as well as anti-oxidant beta carotenes.

With their high lycopene content, tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamins A and C. They are low in calories and contain small amounts of fiber, folate and vitamin K. Play with different varieties of tomato on your bruschetta. From lovely cherry tomatoes to colorful heirloom ones, bruschetta loves them all; the crispy surface of the bread eagerly soaking up the juiciness of the tomatoes.

There is no doubt about it: tomatoes and basil are made for each other. And when they meet atop a bruschetta, the romance just deepens. Those aromatic basil leaves contain flavonoids, compounds that work as antioxidants and protect you from disease. Just five leaves of basil gift you trace amounts of folate, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C, plus 10.4 micrograms of vitamin K, which is about 12 percent of what you need daily. Growing your own herbs adds something special to your food: a sense of pride and joy. They are so easy to grow, too. Here is a fine tutorial on how to plant the herb.

Pinot Noir and Syrah