Description
Create spooky and adorable appetizers with these Creepy-Cute Skewered Beef Salami Eyeballs. Perfect for Halloween parties or themed gatherings, these bite-sized treats combine fresh bocconcini mozzarella, savory beef salami, and sliced olives, assembled on skewers and finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and olive oil to resemble eerie eyeballs. Garnished with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes, they offer a fun and flavorful snack that is both simple to prepare and visually striking.
Ingredients
Scale
Eyeball Assembly
- 18-24 oz (500-680g) Fresh Bocconcini Mozzarella Balls, cherry-sized, well-drained
- 12-16 slices High-Quality Beef Salami, thinly sliced (2-3 inches diameter)
- 1 can (6 oz / 170g) Pitted Black Olives, thinly sliced
- 1 can (6 oz / 170g) Pitted Green Olives (with pimento, optional), thinly sliced
- 24-30 Small Wooden Skewers (4-6 inches long), soaked if wooden
- 1 pint (2 cups) Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, rinsed and dried
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, washed and dried
Seasoning and Garnish
- 2-3 tbsp High-Quality Balsamic Glaze
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- Pinch of Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Optional: Sriracha or Red Food Coloring Gel for extra detail
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Drain the bocconcini mozzarella balls for at least 30 minutes and gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture. If the salami slices are larger than 2 inches in diameter, trim them to 1.5-2 inches. Thinly slice the pitted black and green olives into approximately 1/8-inch thick rounds. Wash and dry the cherry or grape tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning or splintering.
- Assemble the Iris: Thread a drained bocconcini ball about halfway down a soaked skewer. Take one salami slice, fold it in half twice to create a petal-like shape, then slide it onto the skewer so it lies flat against the bocconcini, shaping the ‘iris’ of the eyeball.
- Create the Pupil: Select a thin olive slice, either black or green, and carefully push it onto the tip of the skewer, centering it precisely on the salami ‘iris’ to resemble the ‘pupil’ of the eyeball.
- Add Basil and Tomato: Slide a small fresh basil leaf behind the bocconcini on the skewer to add color and texture, then add a cherry or grape tomato as the final element for both visual appeal and substance. This step is optional but recommended.
- Complete All Skewers: Repeat the assembly steps 2 through 4 for all the skewers, ensuring consistency in appearance. Once completed, arrange the finished eyeball skewers artfully on a serving platter.
- Season and Decorate: Gently drizzle high-quality balsamic glaze over the assembled eyeballs to create a ‘bloodshot veins’ effect. Follow with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Season each skewer lightly with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, add a tiny dot of sriracha or red food coloring gel on the olive pupils for an extra dramatic bloodshot appearance.
- Serve: These creepy-cute skewered eyeballs can be served chilled or at room temperature. For best flavor and appearance, assemble up to 2-3 hours ahead and add the balsamic glaze, olive oil, and seasoning just before serving. Garnish with extra basil leaves or tomatoes if desired.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning if placed near heat.
- Salami slices should be thin for easier folding and aesthetic appeal.
- Drain and dry bocconcini thoroughly to avoid sogginess.
- For a spicier visual effect, use sriracha; alternatively, food coloring gel provides vivid color without altering flavor.
- Can be prepared in advance but add glaze and seasoning just before serving to keep presentation fresh.
- Vegetarian option possible by substituting beef salami with a vegetarian deli meat or roasted vegetable slices.
