Caprese Salad Recipe
Caprese salad recipe is a tomato, basil and mozzarella combination which is a quintessential Italian dish that comes from Capri, Italy. Learn how it’s done in Italy!
Although this is called a Caprese salad, it may be served as an appetizer or “antipasto” meaning “before the main dish.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I was given some Di Stefano products including the burrata in this post, without any conditions. As always, all opinions are my own.
You see, in Italy, salad is eaten after the main course. It is always one of the last courses served, but Caprese salad can easily be served before a meal, as an antipasto, or afterwards as a light salad.
Why is it Called Caprese?
Caprese, in Italian, means “from Capri.” So the fact that this salad is Caprese means that it’s from the Italian island of Capri.
The salad above was shot on Ischia, sister island to Capri, where the Caprese salad was invented.
What are the Ingredients of a Caprese salad?
A Caprese salad is made using fresh, sweet tomatoes, fresh buffalo milk mozzarella, fresh basil, top quality extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, that’s it. There can be sometimes be oregano used instead of basil, but major substitutions and additions are “not on” if you want to keep the people of Capri happy!
What Kind of Balsamic Goes on Caprese?
Absolutely no balsamic vinegar, balsamic glaze or balsamic vinaigrette goes on Caprese. The people of Capri didn’t add this ingredient, so I recommend trying to use the best quality ingredients you can find instead of covering up the flavor of the three main ingredients with an overpoweringly strong flavored vinegar.
What Cheese do they use in Caprese?
If you want to make a Caprese salad as it’s done in Capri, you should use a fresh buffalo mozzarella, however, outside of Italy, this can be difficult, so a fresh cow mozzarella, or burrata must suffice. However, do not use a dry mozzarella, it just won’t work.
Insalata Caprese salad has to be one of the simplest salads ever! Not to mention the fact that it is incredibly beautiful, impressive, and is very Italian since it has all the colors of the Italian flag!
How to Pronounce Caprese?
To say Caprese salad in Italian, it would be “insalata Caprese” pronounced een-sah-latah cah-pray-zeh.
NB: an authentic Insalata Caprese has NO VINEGAR. Repeat NO VINEGAR. (I am a vinegar fiend and even I don’t want vinegar on my Caprese. It changes the flavor completely)
Serve this at your next get together, or take it to your next barbecue, or picnic for something a little different and healthy (sorry, potato salad!) However, don’t add the salt more than 15 minutes in advance as it will start to make the tomatoes release a lot of juice/liquid.
You could make these mini Caprese skewers, too.
While not a proper Caprese, if you can source a good burrata cheese, it’s absolutely delicious served with tomatoes and basil, as well! Learn about burrata so you don’t miss out!
You can also make a chunky Caprese salad recipe in the same style–this manner is easier to transport, and tastes just as good. I almost always bring this to our picnic dinners at the Hollywood Bowl, or Shakespeare in the Park (if you’re lucky enough to live in LA) and I just hold off on the salt until we’re ready to eat it.
If you are able to use homegrown, or fresh summer tomatoes and mozzarella di bufala (may be difficult to source) then you will have a more authentic Italian Caprese salad.
Caprese Salad Recipe
classic recipe from Capri, Italy serves 4
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients:
- tomatoes, good quality, such as heirloom
- fresh mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala, if you can source it)
- fresh Italian basil (do not substitute dried)
- extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher or good quality sea salt
- (optional: dried oregano)
Directions for this Caprese Salad Recipe
Slice the tomatoes into about 3/8″ thick slices Then slice the mozzarella into the same sized slices.
Now arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices into a pleasing pattern on a plate; I like to make circles. Mozzarella can be cut in half, if you’d like to use less cheese, or you can place two tomatoes, then one slice of cheese and continue in this manner. Here, I made individual Caprese Salads, but you can make a large one on a serving plate.
Now drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
Depending on taste, use whole, torn or chopped fresh Italian basil leaves. Sprinkle on the oregano, if using.
I prefer chopped since I find the whole leaves are just a bit too much basil flavor, but a sprig in the center or on the side looks fantastic.
There are many ways to serve a Caprese salad.
That’s it! Serve with homemade no knead bread, of course! You can’t get a more delicious, healthier, and easier appetizer/salad than this. And if you have the bread, you can always make a Caprese sandwich, or you can make a Caprese pinwheel sandwich using lavash bread!
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Caprese Salad Recipe or Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Salad
Ingredients
- 2 whole large tomatoes (good quality, such as heirloom)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala, if you can source it)
- 6 Italian basil leaves (fresh- do not substitute dried)
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (top quality)
- ⅛ tsp salt (Kosher or good quality sea salt)
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes into about ⅜ inch thick slices Then slice the mozzarella into the same sized slices.
- Now arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices into a pleasing pattern on a plate; I like to make circles. Mozzarella can be cut in half, if you'd like to use less cheese, or you can place two tomatoes, then one slice of cheese and continue in this manner.
- Now, drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
- Depending on taste, use whole, torn or chopped fresh Italian basil leaves. I prefer chopped since I find the whole leaves are just a bit too much basil flavor, but a sprig in the center or on the side looks fantastic.
Notes
- Do not use balsamic (vinegar or glaze) for an authentic Caprese.
- Quantities are not important for this recipe (eg. number of basil leaves). Use more or less as desired.
Nutrition
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No vinegar ! Ever! Yum!
Yes! That’s the way! :)