Born on the beautiful Isle of Capri in Italy, this salad is the celebration of good, fresh food with a splash of color. Its composition—ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, seasoned with basil and anointing each other with olive oil—speaks of the colors of the Italian flag and, in fact, the core of the culinary culture of the Mediterranean.

What makes a Caprese salad so special is the fact that full of simplicity, hence letting the flavors naturally shine on their own.

The History of Caprese Salad

The Caprese salad—or, as it has come to be called in Italy, Insalata Caprese—is a dish truly from the heart, with its origins so firmly planted into the very marrow of Italian culinary tradition. It is believed to have been invented in the 20th century, soon after turning into a herald of Italian cuisine when the red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil seemed to represent the colors of their national flag.

As the very name “Caprese” means—it is an autochthonous dish of Capri—a small island, lying far from Naples, celebrated for its charming indeed.

Today, it goes beyond borders and is appreciated so much around the world as the king or queen of the summer, reigning on each dining table for its fresh and simple touch.

Why Caprese Salad is Perfect for Summer?

There’s something about Caprese salad that makes it the perfect summer dish. The essence is within its constituents, perfect during summer months only. From juicy and ripe tomatoes to aromatic basil and soft, fresh mozzarella, everything combines to serve a refreshing and light dish perfect for a hot day.

Added to that, the ease of its preparation is not demanding, since it does not require cooking and takes very little time to prepare, making it ideal for quick summer meal accompaniments to picnics and barbecues.

The Caprese salad is so easily adapted to individual tastes and serving purposes, whether as an appetizer a side dish, or even a main course; it is indispensable for summertime dining.

Ingredients for the Perfect Caprese Salad

To craft the perfect Caprese salad, the quality of ingredients is paramount. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ready tomatoes: Look for well-colored and slightly soft tomatoes. The type of heritage can bring along a different color and flavor.

Fresh mozzarella cheese: Use the best quality and as fresh as possible. It should be soft, moist, and with a more delightful taste. There’s buffalo mozzarella, which is creamier, and fior di latte, made of cow’s milk.

Fresh basil leaves: Firm, bright green leaves without any dark spots. The basil leaves add a peppery and somewhat sweet taste to the dish; they are very necessary for this dish.

Extra-virgin olive oil: This will potentially give the salad a nice dimension and richness.

Balsamic vinegar (optional): This may add a nice tanginess against the creamy mozzarella and sweet tomatoes. For some purists, they would say it should just be drizzled with olive oil, but balsamic glaze or vinegar will do fine.

Salt and pepper to taste: Either sea salt or a little freshly ground black pepper is added to the pot, and your recipe is seasoned with fresh ingredients. While one chooses the tomatoes, keep in mind that a Caprese salad supports the notion that “less is more.”

Choose the ingredients with extra care, and take the freshest ones to bring out the flavor of an otherwise very simple and exquisite dish.

Step-by-Step Caprese Salad Recipe

The beauty of a Caprese salad is really in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. This recipe really allows the intrinsic flavors of summer to shine with not much fuss and plenty of technique in selecting the best ingredients.

Detailed steps on how to assemble the salad:

Slicing the Tomatoes and Mozzarella: With a sharp knife, the tomatoes and the mozzarella cheese are cut into slices with approximately a ¼-inch thickness. Make sure the thickness in each is very consistent to allow for a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
Arrange Your Ingredients: Alternating the tomato and mozzarella slices, slightly overlapping each other, on a large platter. Place the whole basil leaves in between, as one gets a nice contrast in both flavor and color.
Dress the salad: Drizzle liberally with extra virgin olive oil over the arranged slices. Drizzle, if using, over a little balsamic glaze or vinegar to give tart contrast to the salad.

Season: Season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, adding a twist of black pepper just before serving. The seasoning should complement the fresh flavors.

Serve: Allow the salad to come to room temperature before serving to allow the flavors to marry beautifully.

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Caprese Salad

Servings people

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Equipment

Sharp Chef's Knife
Cutting board
Salad Platter or Serving Dish
Spoon or Drizzle Bottle for Dressings
Salt and Pepper Mills
Small Bowl for Seasoning
Herb Scissors or Small Knife
Cheese Slicer (Optional)
Serving Spatula
Tongs (Optional)

Ingredients

200 g Mozzarella
500 g Tomatoes
½ cup Basil Leaves
⅖ tbsp extra virgin oil
1 Balsamic Vinegar drizzling
½ tsp salt
1 Black pepper

Instructions

1. Slicing the Tomatoes and Mozzarella: With a sharp knife, the tomatoes and the mozzarella cheese are cut into slices with approximately a ¼-inch thickness. Make sure the thickness in each is very consistent to allow for a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
2. Arrange Your Ingredients: Alternating the tomato and mozzarella slices, slightly overlapping each other, on a large platter. Place the whole basil leaves in between, as one gets a nice contrast in both flavor and color.
3. Dress the salad: Drizzle liberally with extra virgin olive oil over the arranged slices. Drizzle, if using, over a little balsamic glaze or vinegar to give tart contrast to the salad.
4. Season: Season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, adding a twist of black pepper just before serving. The seasoning should complement the fresh flavors.
5. Serve: Allow the salad to come to room temperature before serving to allow the flavors to marry beautifully.

Author: Scrappy Geek

Calories: 163kcal

Cost: $8

Course: Side

Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Variations on the traditional recipe:

Use a variety of tomato types, such as heirloom, cherry, or vine-ripened, for different colors and flavors.

Add a sprinkle of chopped herbs like mint or chives for an additional flavor dimension.

For an extra layer of texture and taste, incorporate a drizzle of pesto alongside or instead of olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

Caprese salad is versatile enough to be served in various settings:

As a standalone dish, it’s perfect for a light, refreshing lunch or appetizer.

Pair it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious oils and juices.

Serve alongside grilled meats or fish as a side dish that complements the smoky flavors.

Wine pairing: A crisp dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio, or even a light-bodied red, such as Chianti, would pair really well with the flavors of the dish being presented.

Tips for the Perfect Caprese Salad

Letting the salad sit for 5-10 minutes before serving allows the flavors to blend together.

Serve the salad at room temperature to maximize the flavors of the tomatoes and mozzarella.

Avoid overseasoning; let the freshness of the ingredients shine through.

Use tomatoes at room temperature rather than refrigerated ones, as chilling tomatoes can diminish their flavor.

Essentials Tools Needed

Conclusion

Caprese salad is among the simple pleasures of summer: its fresh flavors and ease of preparation make it among the most popular salads in Italy.

We’d really love for you to take the spirit of this dish to heart and run with it, by all means, substituting other tomatoes, cheeses, and dressings to your taste. The best Caprese salad is always the one that brings you joy.

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