Caprese Salad Tomato Mozzarella Basil (Printable)

Sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze create this simple Italian classic.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
02 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, whole or torn

→ Dairy

03 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds

→ Condiments

04 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1-2 tbsp balsamic glaze

→ Seasonings

06 - Sea salt, to taste
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Arrange alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella on a large platter, slightly overlapping each piece to create an attractive pattern.
02 - Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices, distributing evenly across the platter.
03 - Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil evenly over the entire salad, ensuring all slices receive a light coating.
04 - Drizzle balsamic glaze in a decorative pattern over the salad, adjusting amount to personal preference.
05 - Sprinkle generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately as a side dish or light appetizer.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under ten minutes but looks like something from a restaurant
  • The quality of ingredients does all the work for you
02 -
  • Never refrigerate your tomatoes—the cold kills their texture and dulls their flavor completely
  • Let the mozzarella sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing so it softens and releases its milky taste
03 -
  • Slice everything with your sharpest knife so the tomatoes hold their shape instead of getting squashed
  • Pat the mozzarella dry with paper towels before arranging to prevent your salad from getting watery
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