Caprese salad recipe

July 2, 7:42 PMDetroit Cooking ExaminerCourtney Monigold

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Photo by:  Courtney Monigold

July is a great month for Michigan gardeners’. This is when the fruit of your labor really begin to ripen and you finally get to reap the benefits.

If you have found yourself with way too many tomatoes mid-July, how about making a simple tomato and mozzarella salad, otherwise known as a caprese salad in Italy.

You may see these on menus at Italian restaurants but don’t let that deter you into thinking that it’s difficult. All this recipe requires is cutting up tomatoes and mozzarella and drizzling olive oil and vinegar over the top.

It’s one fancy salad….that doesn’t take all of your fancy time.

Caprese Salad

• 1 ripe tomato (Heirloom tomatoes are perfect for this because they are rich in flavor)
• 1 egg sized buffalo mozzarella ball (*see foodie tip)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil on each tomato and mozzarella piece, use a good quality such as Katz and Co.
• ½ teaspoon – 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar (use this to taste), use a good quality vinegar, I really enjoy Katz and Co. or Round Pond
• 4 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces or julienned (thinly sliced)
• Freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt to taste

Directions:
Slice tomatoes about ¼ inch thick. Slice mozzarella about ¼ inch thick. Top each tomato slice with a slice of mozzarella. Drizzle with olive oil (about a tablespoon over top of each) and then drizzle the red wine vinegar. Top with basil and season with salt and pepper.

*Foodie Tip: You can find buffalo mozzarella (or ‘fresh’ mozzarella) in the fine cheese section or at the deli counter at fine grocery stores such as Market Square Birmingham, Papa Joe, or even Trader Joe—My choice is Papa Joe because they carry an authentic mozzarella that is real buffalo’s milk and is truly creamy and flavorful. You can find that at the deli counter and it’s about $11.99 for 2 egg sized pieces. Otherwise, if you are going for price, you can find it the least expensive at Trader Joe in the cheese section for less than $5 for a 16 oz. log.

Other great recipes you may enjoy: 

Caprese Breakfast Sandwich

Macadaimia Coconut Crusted Halibut with Mango Salsa

Zucchini Carrot Spice Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream Frosting