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TL;DR: 

  • Giada De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers are a no-cook appetizer.
  • The Food Network star once said they “couldn’t be easier to throw together.” 
  • Giada De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers are made with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. 
Giada De Laurentiis, who has a recipe for caprese skewers, speaks into a microphone
Giada De Laurentiis | Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Memorial Day means the arrival of barbecue season and summer appetizers such as Giada De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers. While the cookbook author has many easy summer appetizer recipes her skewers just might be the easiest. No cooking is involved and only a few ingredients are needed. Plus, according to De Laurentiis, they’re a crowd-pleaser.

Giada De Laurentiis loves caprese skewers as an appetizer 

De Laurentiis has variations on caprese, the classic Italian combination of basil, tomato, and mozzarella. She has a recipe for a caprese frittata and another for antipasti caprese salad just to name a few. 

But it’s De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers she selects for pre-meal nibbles. “Caprese skewers are a great appetizer,” she said on Giadzy. “This appetizer couldn’t be easier to throw together, and everyone always loves it!”

It’s simple, with only three ingredients not counting salt and pepper. And when temperatures rise in the summer there’s no need to turn on the oven or use the stovetop because De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers don’t require cooking.

The Food Network star takes them to the ‘next level’ with sun-dried tomatoes

The Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef doesn’t use just any tomatoes in her caprese skewers. Because they’re so simple every ingredient really stands out. The Eat Better, Feel Better author’s pick? Sun-dried tomatoes. They “take it to the next level,” she said. 

De Laurentiis’ preferred brand is Agnoni. Available for purchase on her Giadzy website (a 7.1-ounce jar costs $12.50), she described the sun-dried tomatoes as “so deeply flavorful.” Beyond that, she said they “pair perfectly with the bright herbaceous basil and some fresh mozzarella.” 

Of course, the Agnoni sun-dried tomatoes are only a suggestion. Other brands can certainly be used. Although to get an appetizer that’s as close to De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers as possible, that means using what she uses. 

How to make Giada De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers

Giada De Laurentiis, who has a recipe for caprese skewers, smiles holding two small plates of food
Giada De Laurentiis | Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for NYCWFF
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There’s not much to preparing De Laurentiis’ caprese skewers. Per her recipe instructions, they take 15 minutes to make. 

The only special equipment involved is eight-inch wooden skewers. With the skewers handy and a serving platter nearby, De Laurentiis alternates the ingredients. 

She starts with a sun-dried tomato half before moving on to a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball. The Simply Giada host continues filling up the skewers with another basil leaf, sun-dried tomato half, and mozzarella ball. 

When all of the skewers are filled — the recipe makes about 12 — De Laurentiis returns to the sun-dried tomatoes. Except for this time she’s not adding more of them to the skewers. Instead, she takes the remaining oil from the jar and drizzles it over the top of the skewers. 

Lastly, she sprinkles salt and freshly ground black pepper over the top and the caprese skewers are ready to serve. 

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