By Connor Forbes
A good side salad can elevate a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. And no salad does it quite like a caprese salad. Fresh tomatoes and mozzarella make for the perfect base full of umami flavors. A bit of oil and balsamic vinegar provide a pop of acidity while smoothing out the finish. Altogether, you have a perfectly balanced bite that transports you to a countryside garden.
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- 8 oz mozzarella, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, whole leaf
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Cracked pepper to taste
To Make
Reduce the balsamic by simmering over medium heat until thick and about half the volume, let cool, and set aside (this step is optional. Unreduced balsamic works fine). Slice the tomatoes and lay on a flat serving dish. Over the tomatoes, add a layer of mozzarella. Over the mozzarella, add a layer of whole basil leaves. Evenly pour the oil and balsamic over the stacks of tomato, mozzarella, and basil, so that every stack has both olive oil and balsamic on it. Crack pepper evenly over the whole dish to taste. And EAT!
