Caprese Salad

Insalata Caprese is a no-cook celebration of Italy's simplest ingredients at their peak: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, arranged to echo the colors of the Italian flag. Named for the island of Capri, it relies entirely on quality — there's nowhere for a mediocre tomato or rubbery mozzarella to hide.

By YumYum Editorial · Italian

Prep: 15 min · Total: 15 min · Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 large ripe heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 lb fresh mozzarella (preferably buffalo mozzarella), sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, best quality
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or reduction
• to taste Flaky sea salt, to taste
• to taste Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices in alternating, slightly overlapping rows on a large platter.
2. Tuck whole basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices throughout.
3. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the entire platter.
4. Finish with a zigzag of balsamic glaze across the top.
5. Season generously with flaky sea salt and a good grind of black pepper.
6. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes so the flavors meld before serving.