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Tomato Mozzarella Basil Salad Recipe
Want to make an authentic Caprese salad? After my first visit to the island of Capri, I knew I had to master this classic tomato mozzarella basil salad. Sure, anyone can toss tomato slices and mozzarella rounds on a plate - but even with a recipe so beautifully simple, there are some little tricks you can do to take it over the top. Let me share my five best tips.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 278 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium tomatoes see notes
- 2 balls fresh mozzarella see notes
- 1 teaspoon Flaky sea salt see notes
- 1 handful basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into rounds and dry them gently with a paper towel.
- With the tomato slices laying on your cutting board, sprinkle them with half of the salt.
- Arrange the tomato slices, mozzarella, and basil on a serving plate. Sprinkle with the remaining flaky salt and drizzle with olive oil.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Note 1: Make sure to choose ripe tomatoes. If it's out of season, opt for cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Note 2: Fresh mozzarella is not the same as mozzarella you grate for pizza. Look for buffalo mozzarella or fior di latte.
- Note 3: Flaky sea salt, like Maldon salt, is light in flavor and adds a little crunch. If you don't have any on hand, use just a pinch of sea salt.
- Note 4: If you keep a few bottles of olive oil in your pantry, reach for the one with the grassiest flavor.
- Note 5: Here's the truth: when I throw this together for a quick weeknight salad, I don't dry the tomatoes and mozzarella. It still tastes very good, but it is a little more watery.
- Variations to Try
- An authentic Caprese salad has only 5 ingredients, never more. But I don't think that should stop you from having fun and creating your own variation. Here are a few additions and substitutions that I think make a wonderful salad - sorry, purists, but that's just my opinion! See the blog post for more ideas.
- Burrata instead of mozzarella
- A drizzle of balsamic glaze
- Sliced peaches
- A splash of sherry vinegar
- Black pepper
- A few capers
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 = 1/6th of the recipe
Calories
278kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Cholesterol
60mg
(20%)
Sodium
863mg
(36%)
Potassium
204mg
(6%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1039IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
387mg
(39%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 278
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 = 1/6th of the recipe | |
| Calories | 278kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 60mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 863mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 204mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1039IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 387mg | 39% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.