salad italian appetizer vegetarian quick-meals

Fresh Caprese Salad

A classic Italian salad celebrating the colors of the flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. Perfect for summer.

Recipe adapted from

Antigravity
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 0 min
Total: 5 min
Sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese topped with fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Slice: Slice the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into slices of roughly equal thickness (about 1/4 inch).

  2. Arrange: On a serving platter, arrange the slices in an alternating pattern: Tomato, Mozzarella, Tomato, Mozzarella.

  3. Garnish: Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices.

  4. Dress: Just before serving, drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and the optional balsamic glaze.

  5. Season: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Tips for Success

  • Temperature: Serve at room temperature. Cold tomatoes lose flavor and cold cheese has a waxy texture.
  • Quality: Since there are so few ingredients, use the best quality tomatoes and olive oil you can find.
  • Balsamic: Traditional Caprese only uses olive oil, but balsamic glaze adds a nice sweetness and tang.

Chef’s Note: For a fun twist, use cherry tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini) mixed in a bowl.

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