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bell' alimento

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Insalata Caprese

By Paula |

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Insalata Caprese – Caprese Salad. An easy and elegant appetizer. 

Slices of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on brown oval tray. Serving fork to side.

Insalata Caprese is simply Caprese Salad. Literally translated it means salad in the style of Capri.  It comes from the region of Campania in Italy and it just might be the simplest dish you’ve ever put together. But don’t let the simplicity fool you, it’s full of flavor. 

There are so many ways to present this dish. You can stack the slices vertically for an element of interest. You can present them in a rustic single layer as I have here. Or arrange the slices in a circle in the style of a wreath. All equally beautiful and most importantly delicious. 

whole tomatoes, basil leaves, ball of mozzarella and knife on baking sheet. Salt cellar and tomatoes in background.Alternate Ways to Make Caprese Salad. 

If you wanted to shake things up you could also use cherry tomatoes, with bocconcini mozzarella balls on skewers. These caprese skewers make FAB presentation that’s perfect for entertaining.

Simply skewer a tomato, basil leaf, and a boccocini mozzarella ball, end with an additional tomato. Season with salt, pepper and olive oil.

sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on brown oval tray. Serving fork, ball of mozzarella and tomatoes to side.

For this dish you’ll want to purchase FRESH mozzarella cheese. There is a HUGE difference between fresh and the rectangular cheese you’ll find at the grocers.

I could literally eat the entire mozzarella ball all by itself. I have. Cheese is one of my weaknesses. No shame in my game. 

Slices of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil on brown oval tray. Serving fork to side and tomatoes in background.

For ease of eating I like to slice the tomatoes and mozzarella to equal thickness. A quick drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil finishes the Caprese Salad off beautifully. I somtimes like to also add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze because I’m extra like that and let’s face it, it’s just delicious.  

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Caprese Salad

Slices of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil on brown oval tray. Serving fork to side and tomatoes in background.

Caprese Salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 large ripe fresh tomatoes - sliced
  • 1 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese - sliced
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

    1. Layer tomato slice, mozzarella slice, fresh basil. Repeat.

    2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    3. Lightly drizzle olive oil on top.

Notes

1. You can also drizzle lightly with a balsamic vinegar glaze.

© Paula Jones
Category: Appetizer
Want more CAPRESE INSPO? Try …
FRIED CAPRESE SALAD
SPICY CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
GRILLED CHICKEN CAPRESE WRAPS

Comments

  1. Haley J. says

    Caprese! Yay! An absolute classic. I can honestly say, this is my favorite preparation involving cheese. Period. And one of my favorites with tomatoes. SO good. Love your presentation here, too. Sometimes the simple recipes are the best.

  3. Amy I. says

    This is one of my all-time favorite foods! I’ve never made it stacked like yours… something new to try!

  4. LoveFeast Table says

    It’s a little thing, but, I just love the idea of stacking it up. I have been laying mine out flat. I know it’s not authentic, but sometimes I cheat and add a splash of balsamic vinegar or some Parmesan cheese.

  5. Jay D says

    This has always been a favorite of mine. Maybe I’m a rube but have always included a dash of balsamic vinegar with the EVO.
    Great stacked presentation by the way.

  6. Indigo says

    My mum is OBSESSED with caprese salad at the moment – she went to Italy a few weeks ago on holiday – but I’ve never seen it stacked up like this… so much more impressive! I’ll demonstrate it to her, heh.

  8. The Gypsy Chef says

    A nice new twist on a classic recipe, Love the stack, the photo is beautiful. I will try the skewers this Saturday night. Thanks for posting, I really enjoy your blog. Pam

  9. Deborah Mele says

    We have Caprese salad at least once a week during the warmer months, but always with Mozzarella di Bufala Campagna DOP which is much creamier than regular fresh mozzarella. It is my favorite summer lunch!

    Your photo is very pretty!

  10. Roz says

    Gorgeous presentation Paula! Insalata Caprese is so perfect during the season of ripe tomatoes and yes, fresh mozz is the only way to go! I like your creativity of using skewers for a change too! Blessings, Roz (bella)

  11. Mathilde's Cuisine says

    As usual, the picture is beautiful and the recipe looks delicious! Wonder why sometimes we spend hours cooking whereas heaven is as close as slices of tomatoes, mozarella and herbs! Congrats!

  12. Jeff says

    I just make this last night with tomatoes. Heck next to canning tomatoes the major reason why I plant tomatoes.

    I like to add a dash of balsamic vinegar over top of it too.

  13. Sarah says

    Can’t wait until tomatoes are in season here in Madison, WI. One of my favorite salads of all time. Love the “napoleon” style of yours!

  18. zahavah says

    I want to eat this right off the screen. I love caprese salad and your presentation is rustic and beautiful.

  20. Debbie says

    I LOVE this salad. I craved (and ate) it daily when I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. She just turned 2, and although I don’t eat it every day, I often crave it. So cool & satisfying especially on a hot day – and I love the stacked version!

  21. Ramona says

    Great pictures! Good ideea to have that share & review gadget at the end of the article.

    Keep up the good work! Love your blog :*

  22. Dinneen - Eat Without Guilt says

    Ahhh, one of my summer faves and reminds me of my days in Italy and the Almalfi Coast (including day trips to Capri!).

    And using the fresh summer tomatoes & basil, good extra olive oil and yes the REAL mozzarella!

    Thanks for making my mouth water….off to prepare some of this!

  24. HereBeDragons says

    I love love love this salad. I chow down every summer. And yes, I COULD eat the entire mozzarella ball myself. I also like to add a touch of vinegar and sugar to mine. Mmmm.

  26. Leyla says

    Insalata Caprese is my all-time favorite as well! I absolutely love basil, and this salad is simply divine with all the flavors mixing together… Mmm, I want some now! =)

    • Paula says

      Ciao Leyla! It’s so simple but so flavorful! Love it! Pefect with a nice juicy tomato & I ALWAYS have Basil. Can’t get enough of that herb!

  27. Veronica says

    Oh yeah! simple and perfect! I am a big fan of balsamic vinegar, so that is like icing on this caprese cake!

  29. Lori says

    Infine – un sito che ha gli ingredienti corretti e non aggiungere aceto. La mia famiglia vivono in Campania 🙂

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