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Caprese Salad

by Trish M in Rouxbe Recipes

A deliciously easy salad made with summer tomatoes, soft mozzarella cheese and fresh pesto.

  • Serves: 6 to 8
  • Active Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Comments: 3
  • Views: 6573
  • Success 100%

Step 1: Making the Pesto

Making the Pesto

To make the pesto, put the basil, garlic, and lemon zest, along with the juice, in a food processor; pulse to combine.

Add oil and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Scrape down sides of bowl and pulse once more. Transfer pesto to a bowl and set aside.

  • 1 cup (250 ml) loosely-packed, fresh basil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Step 2: Marinating the Mozzarella

Marinating the Mozzarella

Slice the mozzarella into 1/2" -inch (about 1 cm) thick rounds.(1)

Place the slices into the pesto and gently mix to coat the cheese.

  • 6 balls soft mozzarella cheese

Step 3: Making the Balsamic Reduction

Making the Balsamic Reduction

In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer balsamic vinegar until syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 15 to 20 minutes.(2)

Let cool.

  • 1 cup (250 ml) balsamic vinegar

Step 4: Assembling the Salad

Assembling the Salad

Toast pine nuts in a fry pan over medium heat until lightly golden, about 2 to 4 minutes.

Slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices.(3)

Make 6 to 8 stacks by topping tomato slices with a slice of mozzarella; top with a bit of pesto and season with a pinch of Maldon sea salt and pepper.

Repeat, using about 3 slices of tomato and cheese fro each stack.

Place a stack in the centre of each plate. Drizzle the plate with any leftover pesto and some balsamic reduction. Sprinkle pine nuts around each plate.

  • 1/4 cup (50 ml) pine nuts
  • 6 ripe, but firm tomatoes
  • Maldon sea salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Notes

(1) Mozzarella - use fior di latte, bocconcini or buffalo mozzarella.
(2) Balsamic Reduction - can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator for weeks. Great drizzled over chicken, salads, roasted vegetables and antipasto.
(3) Tomatoes - look for green or yellow heirloom varieties in season.

This recipe is from "Dish", Trish Magwood's most recent cookbook.

Laurie B

Caprese Salad

I made this for our dinner this evening with fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella that I purchased at the Baltimore Farmers Market in Maryland yesterday. It's spectacular - the pesto and the balsamic reduction push it right over the edge. Definitely will be doing this again this summer!

Laurie

Vanessa M

Caprese twist

I made this last night, but added slices of avacado to the mix. It was great in the salad and added a wonderful additional flavor. Try it!
-Vanessa

Joe G
Rouxbe Staff

Super Idea!

Can't go wrong with avocados and these ingredients.

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