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Home » Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

June 20, 2009 14 Comments


 (original photographer:  Roz Corieri Paige)  .
 
 
This recipe for Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil has been wildly popular on the web ever since I shared it in 2009.  The reason?  It’s simply delicious and oh so simple to make!  
 
The best time to make this colorful Italian salad is during the summer months when tomatoes are at their peak of flavor.  When I first shared my recipe I was I just SO excited and jazzed!  That summer was just perfect with the right amount of rain and warm weather with sunny days after the rains that contributed to a bountiful crop of tomatoes!  I was harvesting tomatoes by the bucket-fulls.
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So I’ve made one of my all-time favorite Italian dishes: Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil.  Normally, I slice up nice some Roma tomatoes (or any tomato, really!), then slice up some fresh imported Mozzarella cheese, and finally, stack those with large basil leaves. I drizzle them with high-quality Extra Virgin First Pressed Italian Olive Oil and sprinkle them with Italian sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
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But with this bumper crop of grape tomatoes coming in, I chose to make a Caprese salad instead. This salad uses all of the same ingredients, just in smaller pieces. You can eat it by the fork or the spoonful! I also pass around fresh Italian bread to serve along with the salad for guests to spoon some salad on top and eat or to mop up the flavored olive oil! Mmmmm, just pure and simple heaven!
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(original photographer:  Roz Corieri Paige)
 

Roz's Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

Roz's Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

This is an exceptionally delicious and easy summer salad to prepare whether for yourself, family, and/or guests.  They will rave about this and thank you for sharing it with them!

Ingredients

  • 4 - 5 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
  • 1 lb. fresh imported Italian mozzarella, cut into 1/4 - 1/2" cubes
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin, first pressed Italian olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar for a more mild flavor)
  • 10 - 15 large fresh basil leaves (to taste)
  • Italian or Kosher sea salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh Italian bread

Instructions

  1. Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
  2. Tear the basil into large pieces and toss into the salad.
  3. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Serve immediately (can be refrigerated to serve a little bit later too).
  5. Serve with fresh, crusty Italian bread
© Roz
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Salads
 
If you enjoy delicious tomato recipes, click on this link for more tomato recipes:   more tomato recipes here on La Bella Vita Cucina!

It’s our pleasure to share these time-tested family recipes with ‘amore’ from our cucina and acreage to you.  


Do you enjoy La Bella Vita Cucina?  
We’d love to have you as part of our little community!   

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Next Post: Beets in Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil & Herbs »

Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. redkathy says

    June 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    My grandma used to serve this with home made bread. Wonderfully illustrated, I can taste it from here 😉

    Reply
  2. Dusty Lens says

    June 24, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    Fabulous! I love this salad and add just a touch of balsamic. Also, when Romas are not available, sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Lucky you with your early crop of tomatoes. We in the great white north must wait until the end of August.

    Oh, and tune in tomorrow. I have a post about Sorbetto di limone e basilico.

    Reply
  3. Kerstin says

    June 25, 2009 at 12:05 AM

    So pretty and perfect for a BBQ or potluck!

    Reply
  4. Bella Vita says

    June 26, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    Hey RedKathy, First, I enjoy following you on [email protected] Your grandmother was way ahead all of us, huh, when it comes to pure delicious simlicity!

    Reply
  5. Bella Vita says

    June 26, 2009 at 4:42 PM

    Hi Mr. & Mrs. Dusty up in Minnesota! I agree,Sweet100′ cherries are great too. I’ve got them planted and they are so wonderful this year. As I said before, being from Iowa originally, it is always a thrill to have veggies so early down here than what we are used to. I’ll check out your blog for your sorbetto recipe!

    Reply
  6. Bella Vita says

    June 26, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Kerstin, YES, and SO EASY! I hope you try it!

    Reply
  7. Mighty M says

    July 18, 2009 at 1:17 PM

    Yum – this sounds wonderful!! Visiting from SITS. I might make this tonight – we are having company and it is the perfect summer day for a salad like this!

    Reply
  8. The Redhead Riter says

    July 18, 2009 at 10:38 PM

    Stopping by from SITS to share the blog ♥ !

    So simple, but so delicious. I love everything FRESH!

    Have a great Saturday!

    Reply
  9. Jax @ JaxandMarbles says

    April 13, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Can you please let me know how many servings this is? I want to make it this weekend. Thanks!!

    Reply
  10. Roz says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Jax, I’d say that it would serve 4 – 6 people nicely, all depending how much everyone likes to eat! It will go fast! Thanks for stopping by and for asking! If you make it, I hope you’ll stop back and let me know how you liked it. Roz

    Reply
  11. C says

    April 19, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    Great recipe. Thank you. Beautiful picture, too, and we won’t steal it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Roz says

      April 20, 2015 at 8:30 PM

      Thanks “C”! I appreciate your visit and your kindness!
      Roz

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What’s for Dinner? | Eat, Lift & Be Married says:
    January 21, 2015 at 11:44 PM

    […] Produce Chart | Caprese Salad | Roasted Vegetables | Sweet Potato […]

    Reply
  2. Caprese Salad – It's Just Assembly says:
    August 29, 2016 at 9:46 PM

    […] found this FABULOUS recipe with a few modifications- https://www.italianbellavita.com/2009/06/caprese-salad-with-grape-tomatoes/. Everything on that blog looks […]

    Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

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