Simple Caprese Salad
There is nothing more classic and delicious than a simple caprese salad. Slices of sweet heirloom tomatoes layered with mozzarella, fresh basil and a healthy drizzle of fruity olive oil.
When I realized I never…ever posted about caprese salad, I just couldn’t believe it. I don’t know how much of a secret this is, but I have a somewhat addictive, infatuation with tomatoes. I am so in love with them. I think I’ve said it before that I would rather have Joe come home with a handful of fresh organic heirlooms than jewelry. Yes..well…ya know.
I think my furthest memory of tomatoes is watching my grandmother grow her tomato garden back in New Jersey. I can remember that smell to this day, that earthy and bright smell of a freshly-picked tomato stem. Ever since then I have been succumbed to the smell of fresh tomatoes. And I have to add, I am quite picky with these earthy jewels as well. I won’t eat any tomato that has been refrigerated since it eliminates all the beautiful flavor. When I go shopping, I have a ritual of smelling the stem end and almost…should I say..harassing the tomato as I check out all of its curves and humps. It is an infatuation, I tell ya!
And as with tomatoes, caprese is my favorite salad, ever! yes, Ever! I probably have this salad no less than once a week. It’s simple, crisp and clean. Minimal ingredients so you can taste the beauty of each one individually and not overpowering to taste them all together. Of course you want to use the best ingredients you can find since there are so few. The way I dress my caprese is just with a generous pinch of kosher salt, a good drizzle of good olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and if I’m feeling it, a pinch of dried oregano. The cheese I love is fresh mozzarella. It’s different than the drier version that is popular in stores. This fresh mozzarella has a little bit less fat content than the drier one and is stored in brine to retain moisture. It is so easy to tear with your (clean) fingers instead of cutting into it because it is so soft and gentle. I absolutely love fresh mozzarella and if you can find it, indulge! This weeks Sunday Supper is about “skinny” recipes, but a little doesn’t hurt anyone, right?
This is the oil and vinegar I use for my caprese salad. It’s special….verrry special. Trust me, the price is worth it. Oh, and excuse the “used” vinegar bottle!
Do you love tomatoes as much as I do?
Caprese Salad
There is nothing more classic and delicious than a simple caprese salad. Slices of sweet heirloom tomatoes layered with mozzarella, fresh basil and a healthy drizzle of fruity olive oil.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 212kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs heirloom tomatoes sliced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
- Few leaves of fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano optional
- Good extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Aged balsamic vinegar for drizzling
Instructions
- Arrange tomatoes on a place. If using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. Season tomatoes with salt (and oregano if using).
- Gently tear the mozzarella and scatter it along the tomatoes.
- Stack the fresh basil leaves together and cut into strips, or just simple tear with fingers and scatter along tomatoes.
- Drizzle salad with olive oil and vinegar.
Nutrition
Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 584mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2277IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 313mg | Iron: 1mg
I just adore caprese salads. They are so fully of flavor and goodness. Yours is just beautiful and is definitely a skinny but yet oh so yummy salad!
This is one of my favorite salads and I make it often during the summer tomato season. So yummy and fresh.
Yes – Jersey tomatoes and NEVER EVER in the fridge!! And no better way to eat them than simply prepared like this.
I cannot wait until the summer arrives and we can eat this salad with our fresh tomatoes. Your salad looks perfect!
This is one of my absolute favorite salads. I love that your bottles look just like mine. Good cooks don’t have time to be neat!
Love your salad. A perfect lunch or dinner! And with our summer-like weather right now in So Cal, this is perfect!
I love love love Caprese salad! It’s one of my faves! I love how simple it is but still flavorful. . packed with the colors of Italian flag- white mozzarella, green basil and red tomatoes. . love it! and I’m with you- i’ll take fresh organic heirlooms any day!!!
I have to agree with your love affair with tomatoes…I too am a tomato lover! lol Caprese is such a classic. I love how fresh it tastes and how the flavors of the cheese, tomatoes and basil really stand out. Yum!
Love all the freshness in the salad Sam ! Not to mention super healthy & colorful too !! Always looking for easy healthy salads and this one’s a keeper. Looks so beautiful !! Thanks for the kind words ! You are one of my favorite bloggers too 🙂 You go girl !!
I love capresse salad.
I absolutely adore caprese salad! Simple is beautiful. I know you mentioned fresh mozzarella being a bit indulgent, but I don’t think it has to be! I honestly would rather have a moderate amount of fresh mozzarella than some processed fat free cheese! Just…maybe don’t eat the entire ball of mozz…lol! Am I right? 😉 Fresh food is the best…love it!
I LOVE a good caprese salad…simple and made with pristine ingredients! Yours is just lovely…
Caprese rocks, I am all for this little delicious salad! Looks fantastic! =)
I could eat caprese salad for every meal. I love it that much, but I have to have a few people there to split it with or I will eat the entire thing! lol
I’ve not considered using cherry tomatoes to make a caprese salad before…but this looks great! Thanks for sharing!
I like the cherry tomato idea! Cant wait for the garden to grow
Holla, my son just bought a mac and loves it. He’s bringing it with him so I’m test driving it and his new fancy photoshop tomorrow. Should be fun. I have a dell but I freaking love it. I bought a widescreen which I love but man it’s a pain in the rump to travel with. The security dude did a double take when I struggled to get it out of the laptop bag and set it in the container.
Love this salad. It’s recipes like this that make lunch a happy place. I used to have a massive garden. We’re trying to figure out how to do one here cuz it’s all mature trees throwing shade.
I’m so jealous you can get tasty tomatoes this time of year. Love Caprese Salad!
This is one of my favorite salads. So easy to make and so flavorful! It’s a must have during the summer! Your photos are beautiful!
I love caprese salads, makes me so excited for tomato season. Oh and I have been a Mac user for almost 10 years so if I can help at all with the learning curve let me know.
Why yes Samantha, I do love tomatoes as much as you do! Caprese salad is my ultimate favorite! And until I became a reall foodie I didn’t realize the pleasures that real fresh mozzeralla can bring to an individual!
I love caprese salads too – I can almost taste the light, fresh flavours just by looking at your beautiful photos. My mom grows tomatoes in her garden every summer. They taste 100 times better than anything I buy in the supermarket.