Insalata Caprese

Doesn't that sound fancy? Insalata Caprese. All it really is, is a salad made up of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. I have said it in many posts and I'm sure you have heard it elsewhere. For something like this you want to use the best, freshest ingredients you can get your hands on.

For the Caprese on the right I sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella (from Costco) into about 1/4 inch slices, alternating the tomato and the mozzarella. (Use a serrated knife to slice the fresh mozzarella.) I scattered a chiffonade of basil over the top of the tomato and mozzarella. Right before I served it I added salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

You can make this in indivdual servings as well. If you stack the tomato and cheese that would be a cool effect. You can also make it on skewers. Use grape tomatoes and the tiny balls of fresh mozzarella. In between stick pieces of fresh basil. When you are ready to serve you can drizzle with extra virgin loive oil and dust with salt and pepper. However you decide to serve it besure for each piece of tomato you have enough cheese to go with it. This is a simple, yummy dish. Enjoy!