While the fresh local veggies are still in abundance here in the Northeast, I’m taking advantage of the farmer’s market. Is there anything so delicious as a ripe, juicy tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil, and a balsamic dressing for a hint of zesty sweetness?
So simple and fresh. Oh how I love this time of year!!
Caprese Salad for 2
1 vine-ripened tomato
1/4 lb. fresh mozzarella ball
handful fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper, to taste
Either slice tomatoes and mozzarella into similar sized slices and alternate on a plate, or just chop them both up into bite sized pieces. Lay basil leaves on top of one another and slice into very thin strips (a chiffonade). Sprinkle basil leaves over tomato and mozzarella (which apparently I forgot to do before I took a photo!) Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in a jar and shake vigorously. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella. Mangia.
Easy Caprese!!
Now, a little side note about my basil. Last year my basil went gangbusters all summer long and I made batch after batch of yummy homemade pesto with the harvest.
This year – same pot, same spot on my deck, and a complete failure – see how the pathetic plant barely grew and the leaves are yellow-green instead of vibrant, greeny green??
My parsley was pretty sad this year too, although the other herbs – rosemary, thyme and chives – thrived. Whatsupwiththat??? Meanwhile our next door neighbor-friends have their basil in a pot on their deck, with the same sun exposure as mine, and theirs is like a basil jungle. {Therefore I am forced to steal their basil in the middle of the night under the cloak of darkness. Or when they’re eating dinner and I just wander onto their deck completely uninvited – yep – I’m that neighbor.}
Do you have any easy caprese go to recipes? If so, Kristin and I would love for you to link up! Post a Mangia Mondays button in your blog post or link back to Shine Your Light or Delightfully Dowling to participate – thanks so much.
Hope you have a great week ahead!
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says
Oh that is one of my favorite salads! I also am announcing the winner of the creative home e-course later, you are one of them 🙂 Yay, I'll send you over the info when I get it.
XO
pam {simple details} says
Congrats, lucky girl! I could eat that salad breakfast, lunch and dinner! One of my favorite summertime meals, along with BLTs!
Tiffany says
Ooh, I could eat a caprese salad every day. Love!
Dana Frieling says
Easy Caprese…too cute! I could eat my weight in this stuff. YUM!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says
Oh, poor little sad basil plant! Mine didn't do well this year either, Lisa … I had to resort to being supplied by my mother!
Nettie Moore says
Hi Lisa!
Your Caprese Salad looks so yummy! This is first summer that I didn't grow basil, just not home a lot, that basil wasn't getting enough sun? I have linked up my Pumpkin Chocolate Cake, hope you and Mark and the kids get a chance to try it! Hope you have a wonderful week! <3 Nettie
Amber @ The Cook's Sister says
I've yet to try a caprese salad… but they look so delicious with all the fresh basil and tomatoes! (And really, the cheese just makes it even better!) Looks amazing!