The Caprese Salad may just be Italy’s most famous salad. Just like the Pizza Margherita, it features the colors of Italy’s flag, Red, White & Green. Of course, the colors come from Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil. Normally it is dressed with a drizzle of great olive oil and a sprinkling of salt, but in the caprese salad with balsamic glassa I’ve substituted out the olive oil in place of Balsamic Glassa, or Balsamic Reduction.
This is the same reduction featured in my Roasted Eggplant with Balsamic Glassa
This salad, originally from Campania is served as an antipasto, or a starter dish, and not just as a simple side salad. The greatest thing about this salad is because of the few ingredients, each one is able to really stand out. However this does mean that you should be using the freshest quality ingredients you can find. I’m fortunate to be able to grow my own sweet basil, and get fresh tomatoes from the farmer’s market.
Plating can be done however you like, whether it be everything just tossed together, a spiral, or the way I like to do it: concentric circles of tomato, basil, then mozzarella, topped with a spiral of the balsamic. That’s my favorite way to do this caprese salad with balsamic glassa. Don’t feel like making a full salad? Break it up into crostini and serve as a canape!
Ingredients
- 2 Tomatoes; large, sliced
- 2 balls Fresh Mozzarella; in liquid, sliced
- Basil; freshly plucked leaves
- Balsamic Glassa; my recommended brand
- Salt
Instructions
1. On your serving dish layer how you want the tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and the basil leaves. You can go for a pretty design, or just toss it all together for a more rustic feel. Spiral on your balsamic reduction and sprinkle with a bit of salt to taste.
Notes
It is imperative that you use the freshest possible ingredients to really bring out the flavors of the individual components. No unripe tomatoes or shredded cheese in this salad please.
Caprese Salad With Balsamic Glassa
Ingredients
- 2 Tomatoes large, sliced
- 2 balls Mozzarella sliced
- Basil Leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- On your serving dish layer how you want the tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and the basil leaves. You can go for a pretty design, or just toss it all together for a more rustic feel. Spiral on your balsamic reduction and sprinkle with a bit of salt to taste.
