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This fresh and simple Caprese Salad is another great recipe to keep up your sleeve. It’s so easy to make and needs only a few fresh ingredients – and yet it packs a flavor punch.
This takes the prize as the EASIEST SALAD IN THE WORLD to make.
The secret to creating this beautifully festive (with all that Christmas green, red and white going on) Caprese salad is to choose fresh ingredients.
Start with vine ripe tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and a soft, creamy mozzarella and you can prep it with your eyes closed.
BE FUSSY WHEN CHOOSING YOUR TOMATOES
As the ingredients list is so short, the success of your salad depends on the quality of your ingredients. Look for ripe tomatoes that are slightly soft to the touch. I used cherry tomatoes in mine, but you can pick any sized tomatoes- just slice or chop to suit.
FRESH BASIL
Basil is one of those ingredients you should always have growing somewhere. In your kitchen, in your back yard veggie patch or at least have a green thumbed friend who is happy to share their basil stash with you.
Don’t let Winter stop you growing your own fresh herbs this little light keeps your indoor garden healthy even on the darkest days.
CREAMY MOZZARELLA
I was watching a kids food show the other day (as you do when you have kids TV streaming 24/7 in your home). Apparently it’s super easy to make your own mozzarella cheese. And that’s great and all – but I’m a big fan of taking shortcuts whenever I can.
Most Supermarkets sell fresh Mozzarella cheese in the fridge department. It’s normally stored in a brine to keep it soft and fresh. The softer and creamier the better!
HOW TO MAKE THE EASIEST SALAD IN THE WORLD
STEP 1: Chop up your tomatoes. How you do this is up to you and your tomatoes. If you have large tomatoes, then slice them into thick circles and lay them around the plate. Baby tomatoes can be left whole or halved.
STEP 2: Pick basil leaves and scatter on top of your tomatoes. If you are looking for a more structured salad with layers like this one below, then hold wait on this step and layer in your mozzarella slices before sprinkling that basil everywhere.
Step 3: Tear chunks of mozzarella cheese and pop them on top of your tomato and basil creation. The chef reserves the right to sample as much mozzarella as she feels necessary to quality assess.
Step 4: Just before serving, pour over the Balsamic Vinegar and olive oil dressing and season with a little black pepper.
THREE WAYS TO SERVE UP YOUR CAPRESE SALAD
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THE HUMBLE, HOMEMADE VERSION (the one you serve your family)
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THE STYLED SLICES (When you take a salad to a friends house)
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THE BITE SIZED CAPRESE (When guests come over and you need an easy fast snack that looks like you put some effort in)
Clean Eating Caprese Salad
An Easy, festive salad that might just be the easiest salad in the World to make. And yet it still manages to look a little 'posh'.
Servings 4
Calories 345kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh cherry tomatoes (500g) halved
- ¾ lb fresh mozzarella (350g) cut or torn into bite sized pieces
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves Removed from stem
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin or light
- 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ Black pepper optional
Instructions
- Arrange tomatoes, basil and mozzarella on a plate.Mix together olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the salad just before serving.
Notes
You can prep this salad the day before. Keep in the fridge in an air tight container.
Only pour the dressing on the salad when you serve it.
