Fried Caprese Salad. Our fun twist on the classic summer appetizer. |
You already know that one of my favorite flavor combinations is that of fresh tomatoes (preferably home grown), fresh mozzarella and basil, sprinkled with kosher salt and drizzled with liquid gold (normal people call it extra virgin olive oil) These ingredients make up the iconic Caprese salad. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know what this is. There is a reason it has been around forever. It’s good. No, it’s better than good. It’s darn near perfection on a plate. When that plate is in front of me, it’s simply irresistible. Who can blame me. Look at it.
Naturally when I was asked to participate in the 2013 Galbani® Caprese Challenge I said, um let me think about this. NOT. I said, what took you so long to find me? Where have you been all my blogging life. Or maybe I just said, YES, when do we start? Have you heard of Galbani Mozzarella Fresca (fresh mozzarella)? It is crafted here in the United States using Egidio Galbani’s original secret family recipe.
Okay, you twisted my arm. It’s made in the fior di latte tradition from cow’s milk, and their fresh mozzarella is gently stretched and kneaded through the Italian process known as pasta filata. It produces the uniquely soft, moist texture and mild, delicate taste Galbani Mozzarella Fresca is known for, and the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness few can resist. I’m guessing those few are the lactose intolerant people because I can’t imagine another reason anyone could resist.
Galbani was recently listed by the editors of Saveur Magazine as one of their favorite fresh mozzarellas, and once you taste it, we think it’s going to become your favorite as well. You can find Galbani Mozzarella Fresca in the specialty cheese section at many grocers. Check out the store locator on their website to find a grocery store nearest you.
Once you have their fresh mozzarella, you can start by making my Southern Fried Caprese Salad. It’s an ode to my Southern roots and Italian heart. If you can find green tomatoes, give those a go as well!
To celebrate the 2013 Caprese Challenge, Galbani is giving away all kinds of fun prizes to voters through August 9, with a grand prize of $500 given to a random voter at the end of the contest.
To VOTE for my Fried Caprese Salad, please head over to the 2013 Galbani Caprese Challenge . Be sure to vote DAILY for your chance to win weekly prizes and a GRAND PRIZE OF $500! While you’re there, check out the other blogger’s fun spins on the classic Italian dish Caprese, and remember to vote for a chance to win some great prizes!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Galbani. I was compensated for my time. Opinions are my own. Always have been. Always will be.
Fried Caprese Salad
Fried Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large tomato - sliced into 3 - 1/2" rounds
- salt/pepper
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 egg - beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 Galbani® Mozzarella Fresca - sliced into 3 - 1/2" rounds
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- balsamic cream
Instructions
- Season tomato slices with salt and pepper and place onto a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
- Place flour, egg, and panko into 3 separate shallow bowls for dredging.
- Dip tomato slice into flour. Lightly tap to remove excess. Dip into egg and then into panko. Transfer to plate and continue with remaining tomatoes.
- Into a medium sized skillet add oil and heat over medium heat. When hot, add tomato slices and cook for approximately 30 seconds on each side OR until golden.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt.
- To assemble: tomato, mozzarella, 3 basil leaves. Continue with two additional layers. Garnish with a drizzle of balsamic cream.
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Sandy@ReluctantEntertainer says
This is brilliant, Paula! So fun for entertaining, too!
Angie says
This is such a beautiful and fun salad! I love it!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Gorgeous.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
You are speaking my pregnant fried-food loving language sista!!! YUM!
Amy Clarke @ The Savvy Kitchen says
This sounds delicious!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I can’t resist anything involving caprese and I can’t resist it even more in a fried version!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Loving your Fried Caprese Salad, Paula! Nom. Splendid job with food styling and phototography, too. Thanks for sharing! xo
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This must be what heaven looks like/tastes like.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I love pretty much anything in breadcrumbs, and pretty much anything with mozzarella, so this is totally up my street. Beautiful photos too 🙂
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Gorgeous fried yumminess! I’ll take 2!
The Café Sucre Farine says
This is totally making me drool, it screams summer and I LOVE it! Pinned!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Yum. Yum. Y-U-M. I will definitely be trying this with my green tomatoes when they come in. I LOVE that idea.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
So scrumptious! I love a stacked Caprese salad and yours looks perfect, Paula. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest!
Aggie says
You just gave this preggo girl major cravings. Love this!!
Ash- foodfashionparty says
How perfect is this. A fried caprese salad can be mine anytime.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I can’t get over how pretty these stacks are. Gorgeous colors and flavors!
Suzanne B says
OMG…….that looks incredible! I voted for your recipe!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Gorgeous salad!
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction says
Paula,
I love caprese salad and you created a wonderful spin on it.
Annamaria
Kate@Diethood says
Paula, this is brilliant!!
Sues says
I am seriously obsessed with this. It’s absolutely beautiful!!
Nikki says
Green tomatoes FTW! Fried tomatoes & cheese are my thing! A basil/balsamic gelee would be perfect in between each layer… you’ve got my recipe wheels turning 🙂
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Looks amazing!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Oops, I just drooled on my keyboard. Want!!!
Shaina says
I need this. Now. Yesterday. This minute.
Meredith says
voted! looks gorgeous!
carrian says
I am so in love with this!!!
John@ The Bread Makers says
This recipe looks really good. I can’t wait it give it a try.
Litia says
Thank you for recipe! Incredible.
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
Gorgeous! I could eat this all summer long!
Jaclyn says
This looks amazing! Fried foods are so good. Best of luck in the competition :)!
Laurie {SimplyScratch} says
That drip…. ohhhh that drip AND this salad! Paula this is perfection!
Jeanmarie says
Looks and sounds scrumptious! I can’t wait to try it!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
yummy! This looks wonderful! Voted and have fallen in love!
colleen says
This picture says a thousand words-I voted for you-I think you should win.
Kim | a little lunch says
Paula, this is truly a winning salad. Or entree. Or dessert. 😉
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
So I know how tardy to the Fried Caprese Party I am – but here I am showing up!! Because I have been thinking about these since you posted them, I just can’t stop and had to tell you… it’s on my brain.
Charles Matthews says
Hi Paula, I vote for this recipe every day. It looks delish and I can’t wait to try it. I have also bookmarked your website so I can come back for more. -Chuck
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says
I had everything but fresh mozzarella on hand. For that, I had to use homemade aged mozzarella. Told my Facebook fans about your recipe and then shared my results (with a photo) just over 30 minutes later. This is delicious! My version looks considerably more rustic but, then again, I’m not a food blogger. This is a WONDERFUL recipe, and I’ll be making it again. Thank you for sharing it!
Ann Decoteau says
Is balsamic cream the same as balsamic reduction. Do you have a recipe to share for both? Thanks
Ann