One of my favorite summer meals is a fresh traditional Caprese salad. Heirloom tomatoes have a limited season, and are one of the true joys of summer for me. Another fantastic find at farmers markets, they are just perfect right now!
It only takes a quick journey through Pinterest to find out just how many iterations of Caprese are out there, all worth trying. But a traditional Caprese salad will always have a special place in my heart, hearkening up memories of backyard BBQ’s home from school for the summer, using home-grown freshly picked tomatoes and basil. This salad is a perfect accompaniment to BBQ steak, paired with a deep and flavorful red wine. Enjoy!
1. Cut two or three medium Heirloom tomatoes into slices, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Arrange on a long thin platter, white helps show off their bright colors!
3. Cut fresh mozzarella into slices, also about 1/4 inch thick and arrange on platter in-between tomato slices.
4. Chop a good amount of fresh basil and sprinkle over tomatoes and mozzarella. 5. Add a generous amount of fresh cracked black pepper and a pinch of sea salt.
6. Lastly drizzle with good-quality balsamic vinegar and enjoy!
TIPS
1) Use the freshest, firmest heirlooms you can find. Heirloom tomatoes can tend to get very soft very quickly when they’re not truly in season, and often the ones you find at the grocery story have an unappetizing mushy, mealy quality, so definitely give your local farmers market a try!
2) Use good mozzarella. If you can, seek out a local cheese shop and ask what they recommend. We used Cowgirl Creamery (you may remember my Unhealthy Obsession with Artisan Cheese), and it was, as always, delicious.
3) Make sure your knife is very sharp. Heirlooms are soft by nature and can sometimes be difficult to cut cleanly. Having a nice, sharp knife makes all the difference!
Eat Well, Travel Well ~Samantha