This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, My Cooking Era may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations include useful tools and optional kitchen treats. How we handle affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
An original practice recipe and presentation idea, not independently kitchen-tested. Time and servings are estimates. The artwork is editorial inspiration.
Some Christmas food can simply be fresh and bright. This wreath borrows the colors of the season from ingredients that already belong together, then arranges them in a circle. There is no special mold and no oven to coordinate.
Ingredients
- 24 cherry tomatoes, washed and dried
- 8 ounces (225 g) small fresh mozzarella balls, drained; choose cheese made with pasteurized milk
- 1 loosely packed cup fresh basil leaves, washed and dried gently
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, served separately or added just before eating
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
This is a modest side for six, not a main course. Mozzarella-ball sizes vary, so work from the weight and the space on your plate. Cut tomatoes and cheese into manageable pieces to suit the people eating them.
Make the wreath
- Choose a clean, food-safe round serving plate. Set a small empty bowl in the middle temporarily to help you keep an open center.
- Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella around the bowl in a loose ring, alternating red and white rather than building a tall stack.
- Tuck basil leaves between the tomatoes and cheese. Use only edible ingredients on the plate; decorative evergreen and holly do not belong in this wreath.
- Remove the center bowl. Add serving tongs and a small dish of balsamic beside the plate.
- Keep chilled until serving. Add the olive oil, a little seasoning and optional vinegar just before eating so the leaves stay fresher.
Make it ahead without making it tired
Wash and dry produce and drain cheese earlier the same day, then refrigerate in suitable covered containers. Assemble close to serving. Wet leaves and puddles of dressing make the ring less inviting, so keep the finishing drizzle for the table.
The easy styling trick
Make a generous ring with a visible middle instead of trying to cover the entire plate. If you have more ingredients than fit comfortably, serve the extras separately. A folded red napkin beside a serving dish adds enough decoration.
Serving and storage
Mozzarella is perishable. Keep the salad at 40°F or below until serving, use small portions for a long gathering and follow the cheese package’s storage instructions. Discard perishables left at room temperature beyond two hours, or one hour above 90°F, as explained in the FDA’s buffet guidance. Do not use appearance alone to judge safety.
This recipe contains milk. Check vinegar and other ingredient labels for additional concerns, and discuss guests’ dietary needs before preparing a shared dish.
Serve alongside golden cheese twists and cranberry-brie bites for a small Christmas gathering, or add it to a larger meal as the fresh element.