Summer is going strong, tomatoes are at their peak, and what is better or easier than the ultimate summer salad, Caprese salad?
Jump to RecipeCaprese, or Caprese salad, is a simple yet AMAZING salad made of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. It is a summer classic, as both tomatoes and basil are at their peak, and if you have even a small backyard garden, you probably have those two plated there and ready to use at this summer juncture.
Best of Summer Ingredients
Here in Palette Dome Cuisine kitchen we like using heirloom tomatoes for Caprese salad; they are usually wide enough to slices look nicer, their edges or not perfect so it adds interest on the plate, and with the different varieties out there, you can create an interesting mix of color, sweetness, and acidity.
For basil we like the classic Genovese basil, for the light pepper-ness, the larger soft leaf, and the darker green, but any basil you like will do.
The last key ingredient is the fresh mozzarella, and though buffalo mozzarella is definitely a favorite, classic fresh mozzarella will be a great choice as well.
When to serve Caprese Salad?
There is no wrong answer to this question, except for “not in season“. Caprese salad is the ultimate summer salad, so you might be able to stretch it to fall, and if you have great farmer markets in your area late spring might also be possible, but the key to this salad is the freshness and ripeness of the tomatoes, along with the freshness of the basil, so when they are not in season, make a different choice.
As for when in the day, Caprese salad is perfect for a light lunch, an afternoon snack with some fresh bread, or a dinner salad to start your meal. We have enjoyed it for brunches as well, and if you are a savory breakfast person, which we hope you are by now, this is a great option to start your day.
The History of Caprese Salad
Caprese in Italian is short for insalata caprese, literally, salad in the manner of Capri.
The first known use of this terminology was in 1978, yet many Italian cookbooks do not even include a Caprese Salad recipe, or simply mention it as “layer fresh tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil and drizzle with olive oil.”
The salad was created, according to folklore, in the 1920’s, right after the close of World War I, by a patriotic stone worker in the island of Capri that wanted a dish that will be a tribute to his beloved country. The red, green, and white dish perfectly represented Italy and the Italian flag.
The dish was liked from the get-go, but it really gained popularity in the 1950s. The salad quickly became a staple of Capri food that tourists from all over the world loved.
Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes heirloom preferred, but beefsteak or other large varieties will do
- 8 oz. mozzarella, fresh
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- wash and dry the tomatoes. Slice into round, 1/4" thick slices
- slice mozzarella, if not already sliced, to similar thickness rounds
- wipe basil leaves
- arrange tomatoes and mozzarella slices on a plate or platter, alternating between the two.
- arrange basil leaves between the slices, and decorate with extra leaves in center of plate and around the permiter
- drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar, sprinke kosher salt and cracked pepper, and serve.
Want to have a Caprese salad as part of your upcoming Summer gathering? Want us to create it for you? Contact Us!
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