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Tomato mozzarella caprese salad
4.8 from 663 votes

Tomato mozzarella caprese salad

Tomato mozzarella caprese salad is a fresh arrangement of ripe tomatoes and soft mozzarella cheese accented with basil garlic oil and balsamic reduction. The salad showcases the contrast of juicy tomatoes and creamy cheese, enhanced by aromatic herbs and tangy vinegar, making it a refreshing starter or side dish. Presentation can vary from layered slices to stacks or platters depending on preference.

Prep Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 people as a salad or 12-16 people as an appetizer platter
Course: Salad, Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian, American, International

Ingredients

  • 4-6 tomato can use regular vine tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes or 2 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes, ripe; medium to large
  • 1 lb mozzarella cheese fresh; of your choosing
  • ½-1 cup basil adjust to taste, sauce
  • ½-1 cup garlic
  • ½-1 cup oil
  • 4- 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar adjust to taste, reduction sauce to drizzle
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Optional side:
  • lices bread to help soak up the sauces

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Slice, quarter or halve the tomatoes, based on your preferred salad presentation.
  2. Slice, quarter or leave the mozzarella whole, again based on you would like to assemble the salad.
For a caprese salad platter:
  1. Arrange the salad on a large platter; you can use one or two platters depending on the size. If using slices, you can add the tomato slices first and then either add the mozzarella slices on top, or stack them alternating the cheese and tomato slices in a slightly diagonal way. For a rectangular or square platter, you can create straight horizontal layers, and for a round platter you can form round spiral like layers.
  2. You can also place the mozzarella, whole or quartered, in the center of the platter, and arrange the tomatoes, sliced or quartered, around the cheese.
  3. Drizzle the tomato mozzarella salad with the basil garlic oil and the balsamic reduction
  4. Serve immediately
For individual caprese tomato stacks:
  1. Place a tomato slice on a small or medium sized plate, add a sliced of fresh mozzarella, drizzle a small amount of the basil oil on top of the mozzarella.
  2. Repeat the same process until you have 2-3 layers of tomato and mozzarella. Drizzle the balsamic reduction on top of the caprese salad stacks.
  3. Serve immediately.
For a cherry tomato and pearl mozzarella salad:
  1. Use cherry or grape tomatoes, you can leave them whole or slice them in halves.
  2. Place the mozzarella pearls or ciliegine in a bowl, add the basil oil and mix well.
  3. Mix in the cherry tomatoes.
  4. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction right before serving.