Tomato Caprese Salad Bites

Have you ever had a tomato caprese salad before?  I hadn't until recently and I absolutely fell in love!  So did Ben, which was very odd since he doesn't even like tomatoes.  (Imagine my surprise watching him eat a whole slice of tomato off of the salad at a restaurant!)  Since that beautiful moment, I've been making these salads for Ben and I at hime. 

The other day at snack time, though, I was really wanting to have some, yet didn't want to eat a whole salad for snack (because that would be weird).  And so, I just made a few bite-sized pieces.  It was perfect, easy, and satisfying!  

Tomato Caprese Salad Bites

INGREDIENTS:

*Lettuce, chopped into 1-2" slices (can use any kind, but I used romaine)

*Tomatoes, thick sliced and cut into halves (try heirloom if they're in season)

*Whole milk mozzarella, sliced and chopped into bite-sized pieces

*Pepper

*Olive oil

*Balsamic Vinegar

DIRECTIONS:

*Layer your "bites" with the lettuce on the bottom, topped with a cheese and tomato slice.  Sprinkle crushed pepper all over the tops to taste.  

*The easiest way to not over-do the oil and vinegar is to mix them together in a separate container or bowl.  I would mix about a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of oil:vinegar.  Drizzle the mixture over the tops of your bites.  You do not have to pre-mix the oil and vinegar, I just find it easier to control evenness of the two.

*Enjoy!