Spooky Ghost Caprese Salad: A Fun Halloween Treat!
Are you looking for a creative and festive dish to serve this Halloween? The Spooky Ghost Caprese Salad is just what you need! Whether you’re hosting a Halloween dinner or serving it as an appetizer, this salad will bring a fun and spooky twist to your celebration. With adorable mozzarella ghosts nestled on a bed of black cherry tomatoes and basil, it’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare! With the help of a ghost-shaped silicone mold, you can transform fresh mozzarella into spooky little ghost shapes. These molds are easy to find, and you can even get creative by using skull molds instead!
I took the spooky factor up a notch by using black basil and black cherry tomatoes, which created an eerie contrast against the white mozzarella ghosts. But don’t worry if you can’t find black ingredients—regular basil and a medley of colorful cherry tomatoes will look just as cute.
So, without further ado, here are the step-by-step instructions to create this spooky and delicious Halloween dish!
Crafting Your Spooky Ghost Caprese Salad
Preparing the Mozzarella Ghosts
The key to creating the ghost shapes is using fresh mozzarella. I recommend using pearl mozzarella balls for convenience, but if you have a larger ball of fresh mozzarella, just cut it into pieces that will fit into the silicone molds. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Fill the silicone molds: Place two pearl-sized mozzarella balls or small pieces of mozzarella into each ghost mold.
- Bake the mozzarella: Pop the mold into a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. This will help the mozzarella hold its shape.
- Blot excess water: When the mozzarella is done, you’ll notice some water rising to the top. Blot it away with a paper towel to keep your ghosts looking their best.
- Season the ghosts: Fresh mozzarella can be a little bland, so I like to season it lightly with salt, pepper, and oregano while it’s still in the mold.
Adding Spooky Faces
Once your mozzarella ghosts have cooled slightly, it’s time to give them a spooky personality! Use the dull end of a toothpick dipped in balsamic glaze to dot on eyes and a creepy little mouth.
Building the Salad Base
A Bed of Fresh Ingredients
While your ghostly mozzarella cools, you can start on the salad base. Here’s how to build it:
- Tomatoes and basil: Slice up your black cherry tomatoes (or any cherry tomatoes you have on hand) and tear some fresh basil into smaller pieces. If you’re lucky enough to find black basil and tomatoes, they’ll add to the spooky vibe, but a mix of colorful tomatoes works just as well!
- Season to taste: Sprinkle your tomato and basil mixture with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano for extra flavor.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze to enhance the flavor and give the salad a dark, spooky look.
Arranging the Ghosts
Now for the fun part! Gently remove the mozzarella ghosts from the mold and place them on top of your tomato and basil salad.
The little ghosts will look like they’re floating over the salad, adding a delightful Halloween touch.
Conclusion: A Spooky Delight for Halloween
The Spooky Ghost Caprese Salad is the perfect way to add a fun, eerie element to your Halloween spread. Whether you’re serving it to excited kids or as a festive appetizer for adults, this salad is both delicious and visually impressive.
Pair it with a spooky Halloween cocktail or a hearty dish like , Mummy Stromboli and you’ll have a complete Halloween feast that everyone will love. Get creative, have fun, and enjoy the spooky season with this unique twist on a classic Caprese salad!
Spooky Ghost Caprese Salad
Equipment
- 1 Toothpick
Ingredients
- 1 16 0z Pearl Fresh Mozarella or a big Ball of Fresh Mozarella
- 1 Bunch Fresh Basil
- 1 Pint Black Cherry Tomatoes or a color Medley
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 Sprinkle Oregano
- 1 Sprinkle Garlic Powder
- 1 Drizzle Balsamic Vinegar Glaze More to fill in ghost eyes
Instructions
- Fill in silicone mold with 2 Pearl size Mozarella balls or cut fresh Mozarella to fit the shape of the ghosts
- Bake the mold for 15 minutes at 350 degrees
- Remove from oven and blot with paper towel to remove excess water then season lightly with salt, pepper and oregano
- Mix salad with cherry tomatoes and ripped pieces of basil – about 1/4 cup then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano and mix
- Drizzle the salad with the Balsamic Glaze
- Remove ghosts from the mold and using the dull end of a toothpick dip in Balsamic Glaze and fill in eyes and mouth with the black glaze
- Place the ghosts all around the salad and serve! Boo!