Italian tomato, mozzarella and basil salad | Insalata Caprese | What is the national dish of Italy?

Wayne @NationalDish — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:43:26 +0000

The English name of a Caprese salad is pretty much the recipe – tomato, mozzarella and basil
Photograph: Wayne Morgan – nationaldish.co.uk © 2017

This is so quick and easy it almost feels criminal to get so much flavour out of it, not only that, it’s stunning to look at.

This dish really pays off with a high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, such as Sicilian – you want it almost luminous, uhhhhhh

Insalata Caprese | Salad of Capri | Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad

This is the base recipe, you also have options. I've listed it as a 10 minute job, if it takes you longer than that there's something wrong with you.

Servings2 people

Prep Time10 mins

Ingredients

3very ripe fresh tomatoesas red as is possible
1bunch fresh basilget the little plants, the fresher the better and pick the leaves
1medium buffalo mozzarella
1good glug olive oiltry to use Italian and must be extra virgin
1tbls sea salt flakesyou decide how much, carefully
1tbls ground black pepperagain, this is your call

Instructions

Chop the tomatoes in half and remove the core and then chop into segment. Optional - this salad is often served sliced, so slice them if you want.
Slice the mozzarella, just lest then a centimetre thick or just tear it into bitesizes pieces.
Add both to a bowl and dress with the salt and pepper and a little of the oil and dress 'gently'
Serve on to a plate and sprinkle the leaves over the top and then add a tiny pinch, from height, of salt and pepper and then thumb over the olive oil bottle, drizzle. Optional - you can add some balsamic vinegar too, personally I think it overpowers the natural flavours too much.
That's it, serve - thank you Italy

Grazia

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