The farmers market is just full of fresh ripe field tomatoes that just seem to call my name. One of my favorite way to enjoy these late summer juicy treats is in a simple caprese salad that focuses nicely on the perfect tomatoes. I have played around with with the caprese salad flavours before including a caprese sandwich with basil pesto which was really good. When I came across the idea of simply using a basil pesto as the dressing on a caprese salad on Smitten Kitchen I already knew the combo was a killer one. This salad is as easy to make as to dice some tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and toss them in a basil pesto. I made my own basil pesto and I used a bit more lemon juice than usual to make it more like a dressing for the salad. The diced caprese salad with basil pesto dressing was amazing! It was nice and cool and light and refreshing. The basil pesto worked really well as the basil component of the caprese salad and it also worked well as a dressing. I will have to remember to use a basil pesto dressing more often. This salad really is a great way to enjoy the perfectly ripe field tomatoes!
Diced Caprese Salad with a Pesto Dressing
ingredients
- 1 pound tomatoes (diced)
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella (diced)
- 1/4 cup basil pesto (I made it with a bit of extra lemon juice for some tanginess.)
directions
- Toss the tomatoes mozzarella in the basil pesto to coat.
I haven't visited your blog in a while, but all the recipes sound great. Pesto really makes a caprese salad that much more special, doesn't it? Great job Kevin!
I'm on my way to the farmer's market right now. This is my kind of eating, and my shopping list always includes fresh tomatoes and fresh basil. I've already got the mozzarella in the fridge. Oh, yummm!
Another great recipe that you share with us….love your pictures, which make me want to try each of your recipes.
Angie's Recipes
You are a master chef
Oh wow! Does that ever look amazing!
Thanks for posting this recipe. It's so timely now that I am trying to lose some weight and looking for recipes with the freshest and low calorie ingredients. keep it up chef! =)
This looks great! What a perfect way to use summer tomatoes. I love Caprese Salad. However, I never thought about using pesto. brings this traditional favorite to a new level.
Awesome!!! I love anything caprese. I'm trying the dressing. I'm sure It'll taste great. Yum!!
I've never made caprese w/ pesto..Now is as good a time as any w/ your post!
Mmm would love to eat this for dinner with some bread!
This is good.. I think I'm goin to have a hard time with the stacked one..hee
Tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto are such a classic combo, aren't they? Your caprese salad looks so fresh and inviting!
A great way to celebrate good tomatoes 🙂 But bring back those Korean inspired posts! Those were incredibly mouthwatering!
Looks delicious, I could probably eat a dinner portion amount! I love using pesto with mozzarella and tomatoes instead of basil leaves, helps combine all the flavors beautifully. Lovely picture of course!!
What a great looking salad. This would be great beside a vegetarian soup for dinner. Thanks
That sounds too darn easy and but I bet it is amazingly good! Alexis bought two packs of mozzarella home yesterday, we have a ton of fresh basil and tomatoes so I think we'll be making this tomorrow because this is right up her alley. Thanks for posting!
Caprese salads are one of my most favorite salads. Because there are so few ingredients, it's important they are really good. That's what I love about going to the farmers market. Their tomatoes have the best flavor.
Though not deliberate, I find my weekly visits here much more pleasurable as I get to catch up on a week's worth of your delicious posts!
We have a few more weeks of good tomatoes here, and this version of the Caprese sounds like a great way to end the summer.
This is my kind of salad, Kevin!! I love diced salads and I LOVE caprese!!! Look foward to making this!
This is good 😀 Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a crowd pleaser and so perfect for a potluck or party! Love it!
What a great combination of summer's flavors! I bet this would also be great as a raw pasta sauce.
i love anything that resembles caprese anything! this look wonderful!
mmm, I love pesto as a dressing. Brilliant combo!
I got a large pack of mozzarellas (2 + 1 Promo pack & free Ricotta Finetta) in the fridge. I usually made the usual recipe with tomatoes but I sure love to try your recipe with the rest of my mozarellas!
PS. As always, you created lots of great recipes and delicious picts! Sure love to have tips and tricks from you. Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers!
Pesto dressing… even though in Italy pesto is usually made to be eaten warmed up, it is an interesting idea.
This was delicious and super easy. My husband wolfed it down. Lovely flavors and a nice variation on salad.
I would add small amount of black olives.