Use ripe cherry tomatoes and high-quality ingredients to create the best-tasting Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad. This simple and tasty Italian appetizer takes very little time to make. You can also enjoy it as a main meal.
3cupscherry tomatoesfresh, rinsed and dried, about 1-1½ pounds
8ouncesmozzarellafresh, room temperature
20leavesbasilfresh, rinsed
3-4 tablespoonsolive oilextra virgin
½teaspooncoarse saltor to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepperor to taste
Instructions
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half using a serrated knife. Cut the tomatoes from top to bottom. If you use larger cherry tomatoes, you may want to quarter them instead.
Spread them out on a large serving platter. Season lightly with a little salt.
Tear off the mozzarella and place the pieces on top of the cherry tomatoes, throughout the platter.
Garnish with basil leaves. Leave the basil leaf intact if small and tender. Otherwise, tear it into small pieces.
Drizzle olive oil over the entire platter.
Season with coarse salt and black pepper.
Allow to stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
This salad is best enjoyed within a few hours of making, ideally within 15 minutes.
Use the best quality ingredients you can find. This means using fresh mozzarella, in-season ripe tomatoes, and high-quality olive oil.
Cutting the cherry tomatoes in half makes it easier for them to release their juices and mix them with the other simple ingredients. It is also easier for your fork to pierce through a cut cherry tomato than a whole one.
Properly season the tomatoes and mozzarella with salt and pepper to taste. This will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Use room temperature mozzarella for the best flavor.
Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces for a more visually appealing salad.
Tear your basil with your hands rather than using a knife to slow the oxidation process. This will keep your basil looking green and healthy for a slightly longer period.
If you're looking to make a basil chiffonade, use a plastic knife instead of a metal one--this will prevent bruising the leaves.
What to serve with Caprese salad? Caprese salad is usually served as an appetizer so make sure to offer some crusty Italian bread to mop up all the tomato juices left behind. It is also great with Italian Focaccia Recipe.Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.