Summer brings with it hot days, cold drinks and the simple salads that make spending time in a sweltering kitchen a thing of the winterish past. The Caprese (pronounced Ka-PREY-zay) salad is an easy salad to assemble, has a beautiful table presentation and is delicious and nutritious.
Insalata Caprese translates from Italian into English thus: salad from Capri. The layered salad shares the same colors — perhaps not coincidentally — as the Italian flag. It's a super-simple side dish that consists of slices of fresh tomato (Roma tomatoes are beautiful and tasty, but any medium- to large-sized tomato that can be cut into relatively thick slices will do), slices of buffalo mozzarella and leaves of fresh basil, all layered and topped with ground pepper, salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
The simplicity of such a salad is deceiving, for the flavors unassumingly complement each other exquisitely. Popular variations include swapping olive oil for either an Italian dressing or a balsamic vinaigrette or reduction.
Yummy.
While the Italian way to enjoy the Insalata Caprese is as a first course, it is often served elsewhere as a side dish or even as a main meal. Just be certain to read the menu's description carefully or ask the server about its preparation, as variations exist that may not be exactly what you're expecting.
Really, though, almost every version of the Caprese salad is much like another of Italy's famous foods, pizza: Even a "bad" Caprese salad is pretty good.
One caveat: Don't try to substitute mozzarella slices for the buffalo mozzarella; the two variations are wildly different and the hard slices won't come close to imitating the flavor and texture of the fresh mozzarella balls.
In the Wichita area, buffalo mozzarella is readily available in the specialty cheese section of such grocery stores as Dillons, Target, Walmart and Sam's. Specialty stores, such as Piccadilly Market, also sell the cheese, as do natural food stores (e.g., Green Acres, Food for Thought). Any of the area's local farmer's markets also offer fresher-than fresh and organic tomatoes and basil.
Mangiare! Godere!
Comments
Since antioxidants dissolve in oil, the olive oil will help your body absorb more of the antioxidants in super foods like spinach and tomatoes. The 4 ingredients are loaded with important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Tastes great; good for you. Can't beat that! Enjoy your salad. There is a perception that healthy food tastes awful. Actually your body recognizes the good stuff and your taste buds sing.
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