Caprese Salad

Insalata Caprese

Caprese salad is a beautifully simple combination of freshly sliced vine ripened tomatoes, delicious mozzarella and basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil. Insalata Caprese (as the italians call it) originated from the island of Capri and is usually served in summer as an antipasto starter rather than a side salad.

Ingredients
Buffalo mozarella
4 vine ripened tomatoes
1 bunch of fresh basil leaves
extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Cracked pepper
Crusty Ciabatta bread to serve

Method
1. Slice the tomatoes and the buffalo mozarella into 1cm thick pieces.
2. Cut a few pieces of the Ciabatta bread and lightly toast in the grill.
3. Brush the bread with a bit of the olive oil and top with the tomatoes and mozarella.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.
5. Tear the basil leaves and place them over the salad.

Chefs tips
Ensure tomatoes are at room temperature as they will have more flavour than if they were straight out of the fridge. Serve with a nice italian red wine or cold beer.