Today, we’re taking a detour from the usual pasta and meat dishes to explore a lighter side of Italian cuisine, and one that’s just as flavorful and delightful – the world of salads. The charm of Italian salads lies in their simplicity and the focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients, and the recipe we’re exploring today embodies these principles beautifully.
Introducing the Caprese Salad, or Insalata Caprese as it’s known in Italian. This classic salad comes from the island of Capri in the Campania region. It’s a vibrant and refreshing salad that combines ripe, juicy tomatoes with creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil, and a touch of seasoning. The colors in the salad are reminiscent of the Italian flag – red, white, and green, making it not just a pleasure for the palate, but also a feast for the eyes!
Insalata Caprese
Ingredients
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 250 g fresh mozzarella cheese
- handful fresh basil leaves
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling optional
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes in half and the mozzarella in big chunky slices.
- Arrange the tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves on a plate. You can layer them in an alternating pattern, or simply scatter them casually for a more rustic presentation.
- Drizzle the salad generously with extra-virgin olive oil.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- If you like, drizzle a small amount of balsamic glaze over the salad for added depth of flavor.
- Serve the Caprese Salad immediately to ensure the mozzarella and tomatoes are as fresh as possible.
And there you have it, a classic Insalata Caprese, an ode to the simple yet wonderful flavors of Italian cuisine. It’s the perfect starter to any meal, or a lovely, light dish on its own. Until our next culinary adventure, buon appetito!