Tomato, Mozzarella with Balsamic and Olive Oil

For years, Hubby would make this killer appetizer and I had NO idea it was actually called "CAPRESE SALAD"

I've had friends request that I bring this for a gathering ...



Doh. I've seen the NAME numerous times, just had no idea what it WAS! Yeah, coming for a self-proclaimed, self-taught foodie, that was slightly embarrassing.

So of course, the next time we were out at a more upscale Italian restaurant, we ordered it for the appetizer.

Bleh. 

What a disappointment.

Seriously. Do NOT spend the money for this in the restaurant when you can make a much larger, better tasting version in your own kitchen with little effort.

Seriously...tomato season is fast approaching (whee!!!) and you can always pick up the Sorrento sliced "fresh" mozzarella at your local grocery store to create this ...

Now remember, this is a Hubby recipe, so things are estimates, NEVER ever measured ;-)

3 nice size, ripe but firm tomatoes, sliced medium thickness.  If they are extra seedy/juicy, let them drain a bit
Fresh mozzarella slices, one for each slice of tomato. My tip is to not use too much cheese, if it's thick cut, then cut those slices in half and spread out over the tomatoes
fresh basil, julienned
equal parts of olive oil and balsamic vinegar

TIP: Use these nifty little squirt bottles to keep olive oil and vinegars that you use often. I buy my stuff from Costco and hate lugging out the big bottle for a 1/4 cup of something!

Lay the tomatoes out on a nice serving tray. IF they are really juicy or seedy, you want to let them drain BEFORE you place them on the platter.

Top each slice of tomato with cheese.

Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a whisk til incorporated.

Drizzle the oil and vinegar mixture over the tomatoes/cheese ... use as much as you feel comfortable with. Personally, we like our stuff a little swimmy ;-)

Garnish with the fresh basil. Serve up with side plates and small forks and knives.

NOW ... If you want to be really fancy, simply make stacks of these like this:


Pretty, huh? Trust me, my photography skills are pretty crummy, it looks way cool to do it this way!



Oh yumm ... I can't believe some places charge upwards of $10 per appetizer (which is like, 4 slices of a tomato!) ... go ahead, treat yourself this weekend with this delicious appetizer!

Looking forward to linking up with some great blog hops ... make sure you check them out! In and Out of the Kitchen, Memories, Tuesdays At Our Home, How To Tuesday, Handmade Tuesday, Making a Home, Show Me The Goods, Totally Tasty Tuesday, All My Bloggie Friends, Frugal Tip Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Tuesday Talent Show, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Penny Pinching Party, The Gathering Spot, Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays, Kitchen Tip Tuesdays, Show Me What Ya Got, What's Cooking Wednesday, Its a Party!, Recipe Swap, Works For Me Wednesday, Sugar and Spice, Wake Up Wednesday, Wheat Free Wednesday, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Wednesday Whatsits, Real Fun, What I Whipped Up, Work It Wednesday, Lovely Ladies, Weekly Creative, Domestic Superhero, All Things Thursday, The Weekly Creative, Tasty Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Create It Thursday, Crafty Thursday Obsessions, Frugal Food Thursday, Showcase Your Talent, Simple Lives Thursday, Foodie Friday, Get Real Frugal Friday, Frugal Fridays, Food on Friday, Freakin Did It Friday, Feature Friday, The Pin Junkie, Freedom Friday, Friday Favorite, Foodie Friday, A peek into my paradise, Foodie Friends Friday, Fun Friday blog hop, TGIF BLOG HOP, Weekend Retreat, What’s Shakin, Weekend Wonders, Weekend Potluck, Get Him Feed Anything Goes, Dwell on Fridays, Friday Foodfight, Lil Luna Link Party, Foodie Friday, Friday with Friends, Simple Living Foodie Friday, Inspirations, Weekend Wander, Simply Delicious Saturday, Weekly Roundup, Feature Yourself Saturday, I Gotta Create, Show and Tell Saturday, Show Off Weekend, Show Stopper Saturday, Sweet and Savory, The Weekend Creative, Weekend Potluck, Will Cook For Smiles, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Saturday Show & Tell, Super Saturday Show & Tell, Say G'day Saturday, Not Bad Sunday, Potluck Party, Sunday Showcase, Savory Sunday, Sundae Scoop, Super Sunday, Mop It Up Monday, Creative Monday, The Scoop, Melt In Your Mouth Monday, Dinner Time Recipes, Show Me What You Got, Made By You Monday, Hunk of Meat Monday, Sweet Sharing Monday, What’d You Do This Weekend, Marvelous Mess, Making It Cuter, Motivated Monday, Time To Sparkle, Mealtime Monday, Time To Sparkle, Makin You Crave Monday, Clever Chick, Creative Corner Blog Hop, Make Your Own Monday, Mix it Up Monday,  Save Money Monday

Comments

  1. Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine LemonMonday, May 19, 2014

    Your "CAPRESE SALAD" looks wonderful and I cannot imagine finding its equivalent at any restaurant. I have been working on our families favorite restaurant's best bruschetta. It has been proclaimed better so my sister said we don't have to go there anymore, we'll just go to your house. :)

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousThursday, May 22, 2014

    Oh my mouth is watering, I can't wait to get tomatoes out of the garden and make nice fresh Caprese Salad. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

    ReplyDelete

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