Hot Bacon Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
User Reviews
5
Hot Bacon Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
Description
This salad combines the freshness of thick heirloom tomato slices and fresh mozzarella with the herbal brightness of fresh basil leaves. Salt and black pepper season the salad base. The star is a hot bacon dressing prepared by gently heating bacon fat with minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to dissolve the sugar and lightly emulsify the mixture. The warm dressing is seasoned with salt and pepper and finished off by stirring in crumbled cooked bacon for added texture and flavor.
Serving the dressing warm over the layered salad adds warmth and richness, creating a contrast with the fresh, cool ingredients. This approach elevates a traditional Caprese by integrating bacon flavors and a slightly acidic, sweet dressing that lightly coats the components.
The dish is best served immediately while the dressing is hot, enhancing the melding of flavors. Adjusting vinegar or sweetness can customize the dressing according to taste.
Ingredients
- 4 heirloom tomato sliced, medium
- 2 mozzarella cheese fresh, 8-ounce balls, sliced
- 1 cup basil fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
hot bacon dressing
- 3 tablespoons bacon fat
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 lices Bacon crumbled
Instructions
- Layer the tomatoes, mozzarella slices and fresh basil on a plate or platter however you would like. Season with the salt and the pepper. Drizzle with the hot bacon dressing serve immediately.
hot bacon dressing
- Add the bacon grease, minced garlic, vinegar, sugar and mustard to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the dressing slightly emulsifies. Season with the salt and pepper. Before serving, add in the crumbled bacon. You can keep this over low heat while stirring occasionally until ready to serve. I suggest reheating it in a saucepan like so. This is the combo I’ve come to love over the years, but you can experiment with different vinegars, more bacon fat and other spices too!
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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