Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad is a classic Italian dish that combines ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe tomatoes sliced into ¼ inch thickness
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into ¼ inch thickness
- fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction/glaze optional
Instructions
- Start by washing your tomatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or residue. Slice each tomato into approximately ¼ inch thick rounds. Next, slice the fresh mozzarella cheese into slices of the same thickness.
- On a large serving platter or individual plates, alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella. You can either lay them out in a straight line or create a circular pattern for a more traditional presentation. Tuck fresh basil leaves between the slices.
- Sprinkle sea salt flakes evenly over the arranged tomatoes and mozzarella. Then, add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the entire salad.
- If using, drizzle balsamic reduction or glaze over the salad.
- Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crispness of the tomatoes and the softness of the cheese.
Equipment
- Large Serving Platter
- Knife
Notes
Choose the ripest tomatoes and fresh mozzarella stored in water. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Serve at room temperature for best flavor. Optional variations include adding avocado, arugula, flavored olive oil, nuts, or making skewers. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 day without olive oil or balsamic until serving.