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Insalata Caprese is one of the simplest and most delicious of salads. It requires only the right ingredients and the right season.
The season first. This is basically a summer dish from which follow the ingredients: it should be made only with local vine-ripened tomatoes that are red,
juicy and flavorful but not overly soft, and preferably unrefrigerated.
The next ingredient should be truly fragrant, flavorful young basil: green basil grown in the earth and sun, not the hydroponically grown giant
leaf variety which has little flavor. The next essential ingredient is good quality fresh, moist mozzarella. Good fresh cow's milk mozzarella
(called Fior di latte) does just as well. Never use the yellow plastic-sheathed supermarket variety! Finally, you need genuine extra-virgin olive
oil and only olive oil, the best you can afford. With a good quality fresh bread and a glass of cool or slightly chilled white wine, this makes
an excellent summer lunch or, in a small portion, an ideal first course for a summer meal.
Insalata Caprese Salad - Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Plate
Recipe Type:
Salad and Salad Dressing,
Tomato,
Appetizer,
Mozzarella Cheese
Cuisine: Italian
Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients:
1/2 pound fresh
mozzarella cheese sliced 1/4-inch thick*
2 large vine-ripened
tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 cup fresh
basil leaves
Coarse
salt to taste**
Freshly-ground
black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons drained
capers
(optional)
1/4 cup
extra-virgin olive oil
* Purchase
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese,
Mozzarella Cheese Making Kits, and
Mozzarella Cheese Slicers at What's Cooking America's Cooking Store.
** This is a great place to use your
Fleur de Sel Salt
Preparation:
In a circular design around the side of a serving plate, alternate fresh mozzarella slices on a large platter (or on individual plates if you are doing individual portions)
with sliced tomatoes, overlapping for effect.
Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle liberally over the slices. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Sprinkle capers over the top.
Just before serving, drizzle on some top-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
NOTE: Insalata Caprese should never be allowed to sit in oil for any length of time and become soggy,
and no vinegar of any kind goes on true Insalata Caprese!
Makes 4 servings.
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