August 19, 2021

Classic Caprese Salad

This Classic Caprese Salad recipe is so easy that a formal recipe really isn’t required! The key to a great Caprese Salad (as with most Italian recipes) is to use the best and freshest ingredients possible – ripe heirloom tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh Mozzarella. Summertime is the perfect time for Classic Caprese Salad because it’s when tomatoes are in-season, abundant, sweet, and gorgeous.

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Organize Ingredients for Classic Caprese Salad

ingredients for Caprese Salad: tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic blaze

Organize all of the ingredients: ball of fresh Mozzarella (room temp), heirloom and cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic syrup.

Classic Caprese Salad

Place the ball of mozzarella on the platter. It can be placed in the center or off-center. Surround the cheese with fresh basil leaves. Then scatter the sliced tomatoes around the mozzarella. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and torn basil. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic syrup over top of the cheese and tomatoes. Serve with a large spoon. Enjoy the authentic taste of an Italian Capri summer classic in your home.

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Classic Caprese Salad

Prep Time12

Total Time12

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Balsamic Syrup, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, gluten free, tomatoes

Servings: 4 people

Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Ingredients

Ball of fresh Mozzarella room temperature, left whole (Burrata can also be used)
A couple of heirloom tomatoes multi-colored, if possible cut into a mix of wedges and slices
Handful of cherry tomatoes any color, halved
Fresh basil leaves some torn and some whole
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Syrup also known as Balsamic Blaze or Glaze, I buy mine at Trader Joe’s
Kosher Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper

Instructions

Place the ball of mozzarella on the platter. It can be placed in the center or off-center. Surround the cheese with fresh basil leaves. Then scatter the sliced tomatoes around the mozzarella. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and torn basil. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic syrup over top of the cheese and tomatoes. Serve with a large spoon.

Notes

Do not make this recipe too far in advance of serving because sliced tomatoes release a lot of water, and once salted, they release even more water!

The fresh Mozzarella can be sliced or cubed instead of served whole but I think it’s fun and different to serve the Mozzarella whole.

This “recipe” pays homage to the many Caprese Salads I thoroughly enjoyed while traveling throughout Italy!

If you like this GFchow recipe, you may also like these recipes. Grilled Radicchio with Honeyed Almonds, Balsamic, and Parmesan, Fresh Mozzarella with Roasted Peppers and Olives, and Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing.

GLUTEN FREE DISCLAIMER

The recipes you find here are considered by me to be gluten free. However, it is up to you to make sure the ingredients you use are gluten free. Whenever possible, I will list specific brands of ingredients that I use, but always be sure to check the labels yourself to verify the item is gluten free.