Nothing says summer like a beautiful and easy Caprese Salad. I love using farm fresh Heirloom tomatoes in alternating colors to make this salad sparkle, but don’t forget to dress it! Presentation is everything with great food!
Summer salads are such a delight and my easy Caprese Salad is a beautiful reminder of how simple ingredients combine to make great dishes. The colors and flavors of this salad are wonderful, exemplified by the alternating colors of farm fresh Heirloom tomatoes. You can use any type of tomatoes, as long as they are freshly kissed by the sun and not your watered down house variety. It makes all the difference in flavor.
Here in New England we anxiously wait through our long, cold, snowy winters for the local summer produce to appear in farmer’s markets throughout our charming towns. In the town where I live, Wednesday is farmer’s market day. In my home away from home on Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll find me at the West Tisbury farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. Fresh ingredients are what make this easy Caprese salad so special.
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Being of Italian heritage, tomatoes are part of our fabric and growing up I benefited from my grandparents’ large garden, filled with all different tomato varieties. Some people prefer plum tomatoes, which my grandmother canned to use during the winter. Others love Bonnie Original, Big Beef, Red Beefsteak Heirloom, Better Boy or Cherokee Purple. Growing up, we sliced them all for salads and sandwiches. My grandparents always used all-natural, organic gardening methods passed down from their ancestors. Being raised on the best tomatoes has given me a discerning palate and I am very particular about them today, as well as ecstatic over their resurgence. Locally grown farm fresh organic produce is now extremely popular, but don’t forget the cheese!
Mozzarella, like tomatoes, comes in many varieties. Personally I love many types of cheese, so I use different varieties depending on what is fresh at the market. This salad is ideal with fresh mozzarella.
Great recipes start with great equipment, and I highly recommend this KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer. It comes in so many great colors!
Easy Caprese Salad
Ingredients:
- 3 vine-ripe heirloom tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons capers
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Preparation:
- Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella on a large, shallow platter.
- Tuck fresh basil between your slices.
- Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Sprinkle with capers, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy!
More from the Chef:
GoodDinnerMrsMellen.com and GoodDinnerMrsMellen.blogspot.com
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