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–+ servings

Refreshing and Spectacular Caprese Salad

GillyCanCook.com
A true classic for a reason, the Caprese salad is over 100 years old—the origin story for the Caprese salad dates back to post-World War I Italy. Like many Italian dishes, the Caprese salad is also famous because it is effortless to prepare. I recommend using only high-quality ingredients for this dish. Because the dish is so simple, the flavor of the ingredients is where it's at!
Heirloom tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese. *Shown with a side of pitted Kalamata olives and fresh basil leaves. 
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Simple Snack, Vegan/Vegetarian
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 100 kcal

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Chopping board

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 large Heirloom tomatoes (I like purple, yellow then red best)
  • 15 Fresh basil leaves
  • 1 ball Fresh mozzarella (I prefer Burrata, it's softer)
  • 1 drizzle Good olive oil
  • 1 drizzle Aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 pinch Sea salt (optional)
  • 2 pinches Fresh cracked pepper

Instructions
 

  • Slice tomatoes about 1/2 inch thick. I mix the colors to create a nice look on the plate.
  • Mozzarella or Burrata - slice pieces, one on each slice of tomato.
  • Tear fresh basil leaves off the stem, place on cheese.
  • Drizzle with good olive oil, and aged balsamic vinagar.
  • Dust with fresh cracked pepper -- enjoy!

Notes

Obviously, double the recipe for 4 people. If you wrap it, it will keep the fridge for a day. It can't hurt to make extra, it goes down quickly, and you are sure get cravings for more!
My thoughts on this salad: Heirloom tomatoes (I like the sweet flavor and colors of yellow and purple) should be firm but not hard. Good Mozzarella or Burrata can be challenging to find. Aged balsamic should be from Italy, and it should be thick. (You can spend over one hundred dollars, but you can also find very good for far less - like wine). I suggest Whole Foods start your search. 
This salad topped with fresh basil leaves, good olive oil, aged balsamic topped with cracked pepper is unforgettable. 
I suggest my garlic toast recipe to accompany this dish.              GillyCanCook_GarlicToast
PURCHASE NOTE: These are a few of my favorite things, including the highest rated aged balsamic vinegar, 
 
 
 

 

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Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal
Keyword addictive, basil, burrata, delicious, freash, healthy, mozzarella, refreshing, tomato
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