An authentic recipe for Caprese salad

The authentic recipe for Caprese salad is made of a handful of fresh ingredients and makes an ideal appetizer or side dish plate on a dining table.

Salads are refreshing. They suit perfectly a summer dining table especially when it combines fresh colors from the different ingredients they are made of. However, no one said they are limited to a solo season especially when they are made with creamy cheese, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves such as Caprese salad. And when it is beautifully displayed like a cane, it makes a staple on the dining table of Christmas Eve!

I remember when we visited the island of Capri a couple of years ago, Caprese salad was on the table every single meal. The ingredients that it combines, make you want to have it at breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Although it requires a few ingredients to be made, it still tastes deliciously amazing.

The authentic recipe of Caprese salad is made of a handful of fresh ingredients. You will need to alternate first between slices of creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes. Next, add a green touch to the salad by topping the mozzarella and tomatoes with fresh basil leaves. Finally, drizzle olive oil and if you want a little balsamic glaze. Now your Italian Caprese salad is ready.

This authentic recipe of Caprese salad is incredibly easy. It tops the quick easy recipes list and makes you want to have it every night on your dining table. Serve it as an appetizer or a side dish and let everyone enjoy a simple yet healthy fulfilling bowl of one of the most delicious salads of all time!

What are the ingredients of the authentic recipe of Caprese salad?

Freshness is key to an authentic Caprese salad. The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad!

• Tomatoes: I love getting halfway ripe tomatoes. They are not mushy per se but are juicy on the inside. The juices they have burst the flavor of tomatoes in the salad and take it to another level.
• Mozzarella: You want creamy milky mozzarella. Hence, balls of fresh mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella work best with this recipe. You can find pre-sliced mozzarella balls in the store if you are in a hurry. Otherwise, buy them in bulk and slice them to perfection.
• Fresh Basil: I barely buy basil from the store. The reason is that I have a pot with fresh basil in my garden. If you are up for buying basil, I advise you to buy it on the same day you will serve the salad to preserve its freshness.
• Olive Oil: Since we are using a loaded dressing to top this recipe, olive oil will be the main ingredient to flavor our salad. Hence, avoid using regular olive oil. Instead, opt for an extra virgin olive oil for more flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: It is not a must but adding it boost the flavor of our salad. An authentic recipe of Caprese salad does not call for the use of balsamic vinegar. Therefore, this ingredient is up to you only if you want to add a special touch to your salad.
• Salt and Pepper: Only to taste.

How to make Caprese salad?

Start by preparing the ingredients. You need to slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. Then you need to spread evenly the tomato and mozzarella slices on the serving platter. Next, try to insert some fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices and spread some on top of the salad. Finally, sprinkle salt and pepper to taste and drizzle the olive oil.

You can decorate your Caprese salad dish at your preference. However, since I’m taking these photos and it’s already Christmas season, I thought of doing this cane. How do you find it?

The Best Tomatoes for Caprese Salad

Caprese salad calls for juicy tomatoes. The best juicy tomatoes are those that are ripe halfway through. They are not too mushy, still hold themselves but are rich in juices to add a moist flavor to the salad.

Make sure not to buy overripe or wrinkled tomatoes. If you are looking around, get those heavy and earthy-smelling tomatoes.

What are the Caprese salad variations?

Although we are talking about an authentic recipe of Caprese salad, you can always serve your salad with variations:

• Nuts: along with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, you can have crushed walnuts topping your salad.
• Pomegranate: Imagine adding pomegranate to your Caprese salad bowl. You will be tempted to have it at least for the colors it holds.
• Watermelon: we are talking about juicy tomatoes. Swap tomatoes with watermelon. You will end up with a salty-sweet salad that you will fall in love with.
• Mint: instead of using basil only, how about adding some mint leaves to your salad.
• Pesto: Basil is there and so is olive oil. Use pesto as a dressing for this salad and thank me later for the suggestion!
• Balsamic vinegar: If you want to add a tangy flavor to your salad, then balsamic vinegar is by far your go-to choice.

What to serve with this authentic recipe of Caprese salad?

This salad pairs well with any dish. Here are some options:

– Italian ravioli

– Zucchini lasagna

– Chicken tenders

– Pumpkin pasta

 Do you like Italian dishes? Check the below suggestions:

•       Pizza sauce with fresh tomatoes
•       Authentic garlic focaccia
•       Ravioli
•      Pasta Carbonara

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