Perfect Caprese: The Iconic Salad that Smells like Summer!
Why Caprese Salad is Much More than Just a Side Dish
Food lovers, today we celebrate an icon of Italian cuisine, an explosion of freshness and simplicity that tastes like sun and summer: Caprese Salad! But why is this tricolor of flavor loved around the world? It’s not just the ease and speed of preparation that make it irresistible, but the magic of its few, select ingredients. Ripe, juicy tomatoes that taste like summer, fresh, milky mozzarella that melts in your mouth, and the intoxicating scent of freshly picked basil.
Each bite is a sensory journey to our beloved Italy, a taste of that simplicity that is incredibly satisfying. The Caprese is perfect as a light appetizer, a fresh and enticing side dish, or even as a quick and delicious lunch on the hottest days. Forget the elaborate preparations, here the true protagonist is the quality of the ingredients, enhanced by a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil that ties everything together in an embrace of authentic flavors.
A Tribute to the Authentic Flavors of Our Land
The true essence of Caprese Salad lies in its simplicity and the quality of its three basic ingredients: the intense red and sweetness of the tomato, the pure white and delicate mozzarella, and the bright green and fragrant basil. A homage to the colors of the Italian flag, certainly, but above all a tribute to the authentic flavors of our land.
For a truly unforgettable result, choose perfectly ripe tomatoes, preferably flavorful varieties like beefsteak or San Marzano. Opt for high-quality fresh mozzarella, whether it’s fiordilatte or, even better, creamy buffalo mozzarella from Campania PDO. And don’t forget the fresh basil, with its fragrant and lush leaves, maybe just harvested from your balcony or your trusted farmer’s garden. A generous drizzle of fruity extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors, and, if you like, a grind of black pepper for a touch of liveliness. This is the magic of Caprese: a few gestures for an explosion of taste that speaks of summer and Italy.
Below are other delicious salads:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer and Fall
- Energy 273.77 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 14.55 (g) of which sugars 2.64 (g)
- Proteins 15.06 (g)
- Fat 17.47 (g) of which saturated 9.24 (g)of which unsaturated 4.64 (g)
- Fibers 2.07 (g)
- Sodium 631.43 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 133 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 beefsteak tomatoes (ripe)
- 8.8 oz mozzarella (fresh fiordilatte or buffalo)
- 4 leaves basil
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper (freshly ground)
Tools
- Cutting Board Blumtal Professional Kitchen Cutting Board – Large Wood Board – Anti-Drip Groove – Bamboo Antibacterial Cutting Board – 17.13×11.61 inches – Large
Steps for the perfect caprese salad
Prepare the tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes gently and dry them. Slice them about a quarter-inch thick.
Prepare the mozzarella: Drain the mozzarella well from its preserving liquid and slice it the same thickness as the tomatoes.
Assemble the salad: Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving plate, alternating them. You can arrange them in a circle, in rows, or creatively as you prefer.
Add the basil: Interlace the tomato and mozzarella slices with fresh basil leaves. If the leaves are large, you can tear them by hand.
Season: Dress the salad with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Add salt and pepper: Sprinkle with a pinch of fine salt and, if you like, a grind of fresh black pepper.
Serve: The Caprese salad is ready to be enjoyed immediately. For optimal flavor, serve it at room temperature.
Tips, variations, notes on the perfect caprese salad
Quality of ingredients: The simplicity of this recipe makes the quality of the ingredients crucial. Use fresh, tasty tomatoes, good quality mozzarella, and a fruity extra virgin olive oil. Don’t overdo the seasoning: The oil should enhance the flavors, not cover them. Variations: Some add a light splash of balsamic vinegar, but the traditional recipe does not include it. You can experiment, but always taste to not cover the original flavors. Presentation: Play with the arrangement of the ingredients to make the salad visually appealing.
Quality of ingredients: The simplicity of this recipe makes the quality of the ingredients crucial. Use fresh, tasty tomatoes, good quality mozzarella, and a fruity extra virgin olive oil. Don’t overdo the seasoning: The oil should enhance the flavors, not cover them. Variations: Some add a light splash of balsamic vinegar, but the traditional recipe does not include it. You can experiment, but always taste to not cover the original flavors. Presentation: Play with the arrangement of the ingredients to make the salad visually appealing.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What to eat with Caprese salad?
You can accompany it with crispy bruschetta or toasted country bread.
