Ever since the first time I had a Caprese Salad while dining out at a restaurant, I have loved them and find it hard to pass up ordering one if it's on the menu. Delicious fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, lightly dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Once I discovered that I could find the fresh mozzarella cheese in the local grocery, I knew I could make this at home, too!
My favorite way to prepare this salad is using slices of fresh Roma tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and the star of the caprese, the fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into slices. I like to prepare a Caprese Salad using similar sized slices of the tomato and mozzarella cheese, and layer them slightly overlapping on a plate with a fresh basil leaf tucked in between the tomato and cheese. A drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of white balsamic vinegar gives it a little tang, and adding a bit of salt & pepper, these all give a nice finish to complete this beautiful and tasty salad, mmm mmm! I garnished this one with some Calamata olives in the center.
If you love tomatoes you're gonna love this Caprese Salad! Grab up some of those fresh tomatoes that are perfect and plentiful right now and a few other ingredients to make this salad, it's a refreshing treat! The mild flavor of the mozzarella cheese is perfect with the flavorful basil and tomatoes. And, it's such an appealing and appetizing looking salad. Lookin' good, and delicious!
*Caprese salad (Italian: Insalata Caprese [insaˈlaːta kaˈpreːze], meaning "Salad of Capri") is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella (ideally Buffalo mozzarella), tomatoes, and green basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil. [source]
Caprese Salad
Two serving-
Ingredients:
2 or 3 medium fresh ripe roma tomatoes, sliced-8 to 10 slices
1 ball or log of fresh mozzarella cheese- cut into slices
1 bunch of fresh basil leaves, washed, dried, leaves separated
olive oil - amount desired
white balsamic vinegar - amount desired
salt & pepper
Directions:
Slice up tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Layer alternating slices of tomato and cheese on a plate with fresh basil leaves between slices of tomato and cheese. Drizzle on olive oil and a sprinkle of white balsamic vinegar. Salt & pepper to taste.
Enjoy!...
