Recipes

Recipe: Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is simple and tasty, and perfect to put a dent in a sack of homegrown tomatoes. Preparation is simple but works best with high-quality, fresh ingredients. This is crucial -- do not skimp.

Caprese Salad

  • Fresh mozzarella (about ½-pound ball)
  • Fresh basil leaves, rinsed
  • 1 large tomato
  • Sea salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Slice the tomato and mozzarella into ¼-inch slices. Keep your knife wet when slicing the mozzarella; it will assist with slicing. It will never look picture-perfect first try, but it will still work. Remove stems from basil and crush it lightly in your hands to release some of the flavor.

    To assemble: On a cool serving platter, lay down a slice of tomato, add a little salt and a grind of pepper, a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella, more salt and pepper, basil, salt and pepper, and tomato. Keep alternating until all ingredients are used. Drizzle with olive oil. Let sit for about 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

    Variations: sprinkle a little garlic powder and drizzle a little balsamic over everything. Mmmm.

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