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

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

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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.

Course

Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine

Italian

Prep Time

10 mins

Servings

people

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe fresh tomatoes as red as is possible
• 1 bunch fresh basil get the little plants, the fresher the better and pick the leaves
• 1 medium buffalo mozzarella
• 1 good glug olive oil try to use Italian and must be extra virgin
• 1 tbls sea salt flakes you decide how much, carefully
• 1 tbls ground black pepper again, this is your call

Course Salad, Side Dish Cuisine Italian Prep Time 10 mins Servings people Ingredients 3 very ripe fresh tomatoes as red as is possible 1 bunch fresh basil get the little plants, the fresher the better and pick the leaves 1 medium buffalo mozzarella 1 good glug olive oil try to use Italian and must be extra virgin 1 tbls sea salt flakes you decide how much, carefully 1 tbls ground black pepper again, this is your call

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Slice the mozzarella, just lest then a centimetre thick or just tear it into bitesizes pieces.
3. Add both to a bowl and dress with the salt and pepper and a little of the oil and dress 'gently'
4. 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.

   
5. That's it, serve - thank you Italy
   
   Grazia