Caprese salads are one of the few that reign supreme - from the simplicity of ingredients to the perfect merriment of flavors, freshness, and texture. The key to the perfect caprese would be using ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, lots of fresh basil, sea salt, pepper, and a very generous drizzle of high quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil with a splash of balsamic vinegar! *gasps for air* That was a lot, but I promise this is one of the easiest and healthiest recipes you can make all year round. Its a staple in my kitchen and a no-fail hit for a crowd, so why not make it festive!
This one is perfect for the holidays, or in my world, every single day. I could devour this all by myself but food is always better shared :) I believe this could happily feed 2-3 people but any more and I promise you will be sad there wasn’t more!
Ingredients + Prep:
- 4-6 Campari tomatoes (or any ripe tomato!), sliced thick
- 6-8 oz Fresh mozzarella, sliced thick
- Fresh Basil, well rinsed and pat dry
- EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), for drizzling
- Balsamic vinegar, splash
- Kosher/Flaky/Sea Salt, generous pinch
- Black Pepper
Directions: recommended to prep earlier and arrange right before serving time
Arrange thick slices of tomatoes and mozzarella one at a time in a wreath form, I started outside and worked my way into the center.
Add one piece of basil in between every pair of tomato and mozzarella but if you don’t like it you can add less. I loveeeee herbs and basil is no exception so more the merrier in my opinion!
Generous sprinkle of sea salt, fresh cracked pepper (it really is the best but any will do) - this is such an essential step so please don't forget!! Seasoning makes all the difference. I repeat, seasoning makes the difference.
A very heavy drizzle/pour of extra virgin olive oil and a proper splash of balsamic vinegar to provide a nice acidic sweetness.
Ready to serve and enjoy!
The beauty of this recipe is that you can really make it your own. If you want more or less of one thing, do it! I love the perfect ratio of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil so I try to have equal amounts of everything. My highest recommendations would be to find the ripest tomatoes you can, use high quality EVOO, and most importantly, season with sea salt and pepper! This will guarantee the most delicious caprese salad and the happiest taste buds everrrrrr. Let us know if you end up making it this season by leaving a comment or tagging @thepineappledot and @lizhwangg.
Happy Eats!