Description
Homemade cherry tomato caprese salad showcases Italian culinary elegance with fresh mozzarella and basil. Mediterranean flavors meld perfectly, offering seasonal garden-fresh ingredients you can savor alongside crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 18 large basil leaves
- 1 8 oz (226 g) package fresh mozzarella balls
- 1 pint (473 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml) pepper
- 1 small breadstick or cheese straws (optional)
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Blend fresh basil with extra virgin olive oil, incorporating salt and cracked pepper to create a smooth, fragrant herb-infused emulsion that will elevate the salad’s flavor profile.
- Tomato and Mozzarella Assembly: Halve cherry tomatoes and combine with pearl-like mozzarella spheres, delicately slicing additional basil leaves into refined ribbons to distribute throughout the mixture.
- Flavor Infusion: Gently toss the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil ribbons with the prepared herb dressing, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and absorb the aromatic essence.
- Plating and Garnish: Transfer the caprese salad to individual serving dishes, artfully arranging the vibrant ingredients to showcase their natural beauty, and accompany with crisp cheese straws or rustic breadsticks for textural contrast.
- Serving: Present the salad immediately to maintain its fresh, vibrant character and ensure an optimal culinary experience that celebrates the pure, clean flavors of the ingredients.
Notes
- Dressing Technique: Blend basil and olive oil thoroughly to create a smooth, fragrant emulsion that coats ingredients with intense herb flavor.
- Tomato Cutting Strategy: Slice cherry tomatoes precisely in half to maximize surface area for dressing absorption and create an attractive presentation.
- Basil Preparation Tip: Use a sharp knife to chiffonade basil leaves, releasing essential oils and distributing delicate herb flavor throughout the salad.
- Temperature and Timing: Serve immediately after mixing to maintain fresh texture, preventing soggy ingredients and preserving vibrant colors and crisp elements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg