Hands down, this is my favorite salad. It requires no cooking, comes together in 5 minutes and always manages to look impressive. If you need a go-to recipe for summer entertaining, this is it. You’ll never have to worry about leftovers.
When we planted tomato and basil a few weeks back, this was the salad I was dreaming of. The plants haven’t grown much yet – have I killed a plant that’s guaranteed to grow? How embarrassing would that be?!
Basil is an ‘easy’ plant that likes full sun and normal watering. I’m wondering if I should have put it directly in the ground instead of planting in a pot? Hmm. Maybe I’ll move it when I plant the rest of my cocktail garden. ;)
This is one of the few dishes that doesn’t make me nervous. You know how with most recipes (for us non foodies) you’re paranoid about adding too much salt or forgetting to preheat something? With this you don’t have to worry – you can’t go wrong. So don’t get out the measuring spoons, just wing it. And it will all be good.
Tomato, Basil + Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
- A big ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
- Handful of fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Balsamic dressing
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Alternate slices on a nice, big plate, overlapping each one slightly. You can add big leaves of basil in there as well.
- Sprinkle with salt. I like to let it sit for a bit with just the salt on there, if possible, to let things get juicy.
- With your hands, tear up a few leaves of basil and spread across the top.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic on top.
What is your favorite summer salad?
Photos by Lindsey Johnson
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Malou says
May 14, 2016 at 2:02 amAlways a great salad. Love the balsamic with a good olive oil.
Aubrey says
May 8, 2016 at 8:22 pmMozerella used to be my favorite before I was dairy free!:)
BrandiEdmonds says
May 21, 2015 at 7:06 pmThis is my first year to grow heirlooms and I do have fresh basil growing with them… I am sooo making this this summer .. Have you ever tried reducing the balsamic before adding… I recently did some reduced balsamic on pears, walnuts, and radicchio and it was ridiculously good!
E says
July 10, 2014 at 3:15 amLovely pictures!
Emilia says
June 9, 2014 at 12:44 pmI wonder how many this wonderful salad feed–as a salad course. My mouth is watering just for looking at the pictures! All my favorite things together in one dish.
gerbermom says
June 10, 2014 at 8:18 pmHi Emilia – I would think it would would serve 3-4 as a salad course. If you need to feed more, just add more tomato & mozzarella!
Emilia says
June 10, 2014 at 8:38 pmThanks!
Francesca says
May 20, 2014 at 12:25 amGreat, fast and healthy lunch idea!
Tracey @ Salty Sweet Life says
April 16, 2014 at 12:16 amI look forward to Caprese salads every summer! Yours is truly a beauty! I don’t know who said basil is “easy”! I plant it every year and sometimes it does very well, and sometimes it’s a bit difficult! My solution: plant a LOT of it! That way you’re certain to have some when you need it!
gerbermom says
April 18, 2014 at 12:28 pmI’m glad I’m not the only one with basil challenges! Planting several is a great idea – with just one, if I pick enough for a salad and the poor plant looks ravaged :)
Geraldine says
April 11, 2014 at 12:07 pmI just planted my tomatoes – so will be pinning this for later – when the tomatoes come in. Your photo is lovely – the colors are so pretty.
Siham says
April 11, 2014 at 11:44 amThis looks delicious!! My salads are always roman lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and maybe carrot. Basically anything I find on my fridge haha
gerbermom says
April 18, 2014 at 12:40 pmThat sounds delish Siham! Fridge salads are usually the best kind :)
Joen says
April 11, 2014 at 10:17 amYour basil should do fine in the pot – mine did last year (and sadly I’m not very good at it hard as I try). Caprese is one of my favorite salads too! Can’t wait for the local grown tomatoes to start coming in – we had so much snow this year I’m looking forward to Spring and Summer!