Description
These Ladybug Salad & Bites are made with fresh cherry tomatoes, black olives, and greens to create a whimsical, delicious, and healthy dish! Perfect for springtime gatherings, kids’ lunches, or fun appetizers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Ladybug Caprese Bites (Appetizer Version)
Ingredients:
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese (or mini mozzarella balls)
- 6 black olives, halved (for ladybug heads)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze or black sesame seeds (for spots)
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese or hummus (to attach details)
- 12 crackers or cucumber slices (for base, optional)
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Ladybug Garden Salad (Salad Version)
Ingredients:
- 6 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (for ladybug bodies)
- 1/2 cup black olives, halved (for heads)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese or goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds or sunflower seeds (for crunch)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (for ladybug spots)
- 1/4 cup honey mustard dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
Place a basil leaf and a mozzarella slice on top of each cracker or cucumber slice.
Cut cherry tomatoes in half and place one half on each mozzarella slice to form the ladybug’s body.
Attach a black olive half as the head using a dab of cream cheese or hummus.
Use balsamic glaze or black sesame seeds to create ladybug spots on the tomato.
Serve immediately as a fresh, fun appetizer!
- Arrange greens on a serving platter or salad bowl.
- Place cherry tomato halves cut-side down across the salad to resemble ladybugs.
- Add black olive halves next to each tomato as the ladybug’s head.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze to create tiny ladybug spots.
- Sprinkle cheese and almonds/seeds over the salad for extra flavor.
- Serve with honey mustard dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cheese or hummus.
- For extra cuteness, use tiny edible herb stems or chives to create ladybug antennae.
- Make it a meal by adding grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad.