Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Check Icon Print Icon Note Icon Heart Icon Filled Heart Icon Single Arrow Icon Double Arrow Icon BLT Icon TV Icon Close Icon Sorted BLT/Search Icon
Recipe

CAPRESE SALAD

Serves: 4
If they like it, it serves 4 otherwise  - thinking face emoji
Preparation time: 15 minutes Totaltime: 15 minutes

Insalata Caprese, also known as Caprese Salad is a traditional Italian appetizer. Fresh summer tomatoes, fresh basil, and soft mozzarella cheese (not the rubbery and dry version) make this salad a summer favorite. The salad has its origins from the island of Capri in Italy, south of the coast of Naples.
The creamy mozzarella in this salad is arguably the perfect counterbalance to the humble tomato, thanks to its rich yet subtle taste and mellow dairy notes.

Ingredients

  • 4 large vine-ripened or heirloom tomatoes sliced into 1/4 inch slices
    1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into 1/4 inch slices
    15-20 basil leaves sliced into ribbons
    3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    kosher/sea salt and pepper to taste
    1 tablespoon balsamic reduction (optional)

Preparation

  • More presentations




    Sprinkle sliced tomatoes with salt.
    Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on platter in alternating and overlapping pattern, or stacked as shown on the image above.
    Either tuck whole leaves of basil in between layers of tomatoes or sprinkle salad with the ribbons of basil.
    Drizzle the salad evenly with extra virgin olive oil.
    Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper.
    Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using.
    Serve immediately or within one hour of preparation.

    There is really no “dressing” for Caprese Salad. Instead a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and salt is all that is needed.
    A drizzle of balsamic reduction enhances the taste of this simple salad, but that is optional.


    Notes

    Beefsteak, vine-ripened, or heirloom tomatoes are all great for this Tomato and Mozzarella Salad.

    Balsamic Reduction

    You can easily purchase a balsamic reduction or glaze or you can make it at home.

    Place 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar into heavy bottomed saucepan.
    Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
    Allow to reduce, stirring occasionally, until the balsamic is reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon. This takes about 10 minutes.

The {Pageturner} E-Cookbooks Library

The latest

France Complete E-cookbook

USA Complete E-cookbook

Italy Complete E-cookbook

Newsletter sign up

Sign up today and get the latest recipes and offers delivered straight to your inbox