Insalata Caprese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Origin
Region: Campania (Island of Capri)
Historical Context: Created in the 1920s on the upscale island of Capri, its striking red, white, and green layout was deliberately designed to pay homage to the colors of the Italian flag (il Tricolore).
Description
The quintessential minimalist summer salad. Alternating slices of intensely sweet, sun-ripened vine tomatoes and creamy fresh mozzarella cheese, crowned with vibrant sweet basil leaves and dressed exclusively with top-tier extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
Presentation
Arranged uniformly in an overlapping circular fan pattern on a flat white platter to highlight the stark color contrast. Served cool, but never ice-cold.
Ingredients
4 large, perfectly ripe vine-ripened tomatoes (like Marinda or heirloom beefsteaks)
300g fresh buffalo mozzarella (Mozzarella di Bufala Campana) or high-quality Fior di Latte
1 large bunch of fresh sweet basil leaves
60ml premium robust extra virgin olive oil
Flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Step-by-Step Directions
Slice Dairy: Remove the mozzarella from its brine liquid and pat it dry with paper towels. Slice it uniformly into 1/3-inch thick rounds. Let the slices sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before assembling to unlock their milky texture.
Slice Produce: Slice the tomatoes into rounds matching the thickness of the mozzarella. Discard the stem ends.
Assemble Fan: On a large serving platter, alternate a slice of tomato followed by a slice of mozzarella, overlapping them tightly. Insert a large, fresh basil leaf between each layer.
Season Simply: Sprinkle flaky sea salt and a light grind of black pepper evenly across the entire platter.
Dress: Drizzle the premium extra virgin olive oil in a slow stream over the top. Serve immediately.
Optional Variations
Caponata Caprese: In strict traditional circles, a true Caprese never includes balsamic vinegar. However, modern iterations outside of Italy often add a light drizzle of aged balsamic glaze for sweetness.
Cooking Tips
Because this dish is completely raw and un-cooked, its success relies entirely on ingredient quality. Use the finest estate-bottled olive oil you can find and tomatoes that have never been refrigerated.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 260 kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 22g
Sodium: 280mg
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