A classic Italian salad of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh picked basil is drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze for the ultimate summer side dish.
[Updated May 30, 2018] There’s nothing like home grown tomatoes from the garden. Compared to store-bought, homegrown stem tomatoes are sweeter and more flavorful. They are picked at the height of ripeness.
How to Make Tomatoes Caprese
High in sugar and acid, a homegrown tomato is ripened perfectly right on the vine. They will never compare to grocery bought tomatoes. They are juicy and sweet as sugar. If you can’t grow them, pick them fresh from a local farm market.
For this caprese salad the key ingredient is homegrown tomatoes. Now if you are going to use the best tomatoes you also need to use the best mozzarella and the freshest basil.
Like fresh picked tomatoes, the flavor of homegrown basil is more pronounced and peppery sweet than store-bought. It’s easy to plant basil in one of your containers surrounded by your potted flowers. Just do it. You’ll use it all summer long.
Fresh mozzarella is just as important. Skip the dairy section of your grocery store and head to the deli and cheese department for fresh mozzarella. It’s softer, has a higher moisture content and is vacuum-sealed or packaged in water.
And lastly, your caprese salad would not be as delicious if you didn’t use high-quality olive oil and barrel aged balsamic vinegar. Yes I said aged. It’s a dark, thick syrup that’s sweet and delicious. It’s a little more expensive but completely worth it.
And finally to finish the dish, a simple drizzle of balsamic glaze over the tomatoes it’s like the cherry on top. You can find balsamic glaze in the same aisle of your grocery store as the vinegar.
Anyone can assemble tomatoes and mozzarella, but if you want your caprese salad to stand out and take center stage follow these tips. I guarantee your friends will be asking for your secret.
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Tomatoes Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 4 vine tomatoes, 1/4-inch slices
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, 1/4-inch slices
- 15 fresh basil leaves, sliced
- Olive oil
- Aged balsamic vinegar
- Balsamic glaze
- Fresh ground pepper and kosher salt
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange the tomato slices on a platter and top each with a slice of fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. Sprinkle fresh ground pepper and kosher salt over the entire plate, then drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar and glaze over the tomatoes and serve.
What You’ll Need to Make this Recipe
Um, I want this right now.
My grandparents used to grow cherry tomatoes in their backyard. We would pick them right off the plant and eat them. They were amazing! You’re absolutely right. Nothing compares to the fruit that ripens right on the vine.
I agree. There is nothing like home grown.
Nothing beats a simple caprese salad in the summer. When we went to Italy we fell in love with eating this at almost every meal. I need to make it this summer more often!
I agree with you Julia. I could eat this every day.
This is why I love summer time where I can enjoy lots of lovely fresh salads. Looks so delicious!
There really isn’t anything better than a fresh tomato. Caprese salad is the PERFECT summer salad!
I totally agree. Nothing like fresh tomatoes from the garden!
hands down this salad is the best part of summer dining!!
This salad looks so good! Sadly, my boyfriend HATES tomatoes. Actually, that would just mean more for me :p
This is one of my all time favorite salads! Looks delicious!
I’d love it if you came and shared on Try a Bite Tuesday Link Party on my page!
There is nothing like a homegrown tomato, and using them in a fresh preparation like this really allows them to shine.
Thanks Renee. I agree…the taste of homegrown is simply the best.
My grandfather just loaded me up with ripe tomatoes from his garden. I’m going give this recipe a try soon!
Yum….homegrown tomatoes are the best. This recipe won’t disappoint. Enjoy!
This is one of my favorite salads!! Simple yet so delicious ? beautiful clicks
Thanks Soniya…we eat it all summer long. One of our favorites too 🙂
Nothing beats some good homegrown tomatoes..One of my favorite things about summer and this looks the perfect way to use some.
Mine too….I love homegrown because it’s always better. Thanks Stephanie 🙂