The local field tomatoes finally made their appearance at the farmers market this weekend and I immediately picked some up. With the fresh ripe tomatoes in hand, the first thing on my mind was a caprese salad! A caprese salad or insalata caprese, is a salad consisting of tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil. Because this salad is so simple, you want to use the best ingredients possible including perfectly ripened field tomatoes. Every year I look forward to tomato season when I can enjoy fresh caprese salads and I never tire of coming up with new ways to enjoy them. This time I diced both the tomatoes and the mozzarella and used my mini spring form pan to construct a layered stack. For the basil component of the salad I topped the tower with a dollop of freshly made basil pesto and garnished the plate with drops of basil olive oil. (I made the basil oil by pureeing some basil in the olive oil and then straining it.)
Diced Caprese Salad
ingredients
- 2 large ripe field tomatoes (diced)
- 1 large ball fresh mozzarella (diced)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
directions
- Divide the tomatoes and mozzarella in two and form stacks on two plates alternating the tomatoes and mozzarella seasoning with salt and pepper as you go using a ring.
- Top each stack with basil pesto and enjoy!
Eva says
August 16, 2010 at 11:27 pmWhat a great twist on Caprese Salad, the presentation is completely beautiful.
Mags says
August 16, 2010 at 11:28 pmAbsolutely beautiful presentation Kevin.
Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says
August 16, 2010 at 11:33 pmOMG…that's gorgeous. Have made the salad for years, in fact, had it last nite, only I substituted a creamy garlic cheese diced up. It was gooooood! BUT I have to try it in a press like you did with the basil oil. Now I have to have company for dinner so I can try it out. Boy…will they be impressed! 🙂
Anonymous says
August 16, 2010 at 11:35 pmFantastic, Kevin! I have been alternating this salad with real Greek salad (no lettuce) all summer. And your pesto idea sounds good. I make pesto 'cubes' all summer and freeze them for fresh basil taste in the winter. Great idea.!!! fleur.
Pam says
August 16, 2010 at 11:37 pmWhat a gorgeous presentation of a caprese salad!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
August 17, 2010 at 12:33 amI love this! What a nice take (and lovely presentation) on Caprese.
Ciao Chow Linda says
August 17, 2010 at 12:48 amLovely deconstructed caprese salad, especially with those dots of pesto adding even more color.
♥peachkins♥ says
August 17, 2010 at 1:12 amA nice take on Caprese Salad!
The Peach Kitchen
peach and things
blowing peachkisses
Cara says
August 17, 2010 at 1:15 ambeautiful presentation, Kevin!
bellini valli says
August 17, 2010 at 1:19 amDefinitely one of my favourite salads Kevin!!
Lena Nozizwe says
August 17, 2010 at 1:47 amFor the first time ever I grew my own tomatoes this summer. What a treat it's been to step outside into my container garden and take it to my kitchen. Your recipe is a great way to use them.
Chocolate Freckles says
August 17, 2010 at 2:30 amYou always amaze me with your presentation, next time I wanna impress someone.. I'll serve this as a starter for sure!!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
August 17, 2010 at 2:38 amI love caprese salad – your salad is absolutely beautiful. This would make a great presentation next time we're entertaining!
Natalie @ Perrys' Plate says
August 17, 2010 at 2:49 amWhat beautiful plating! You're a very talented food stylist. Your photos are always gorgeous! (Oh yes, and the salad looks delicious as well!)
Anonymous says
August 17, 2010 at 2:55 amGreat presentation. Love caprese with buffalo mozzarella.
Recipe for Delicious says
August 17, 2010 at 3:18 amStunning presentation, Kevin. The first few tomatoes just showed up at our market too.
Healthy and Homemade says
August 17, 2010 at 3:20 amBeautiful presentation, I like that you didn't crack black pepper over it. I hate when they do that in restaurants and you bite into the grit, it ruins the texture of this salad.
Diana Evans says
August 17, 2010 at 3:23 amyou need to pop by and get some fresh tomatoes from our garden!!! this is wonderful…we had some salad tonight and it was amazing!!!
Cati says
August 17, 2010 at 3:25 amWhat a beautiful plate. Nice work!
Claudia says
August 17, 2010 at 4:01 amSo pretty – Caaprese is always gorgeous. Caprese on a stick, caprese stacks, caprese salads, caprese pasta, caprese roses – I'm on your wave length. The combination is irresistable.
Taylor says
August 17, 2010 at 4:05 amThis is gorgeous! I love a great caprese salad and this looks like a fabulous twist on it
Liz says
August 17, 2010 at 4:23 amIt is still in the throws of Winter here in Australia but this dish really cheers me up! It makes me think of hot summer days by the pool. The colours and the brightness you have captured are incredible! Yum. Bring on summer!
Ana Powell says
August 17, 2010 at 7:13 amSo good looking and full of vibrant colours ♥
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
August 17, 2010 at 7:27 amIt looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
jose manuel says
August 17, 2010 at 7:29 amQue ensalada tan sencilla y maravillosa. Esta con tu permiso me la copio, me ha encantado. SAludos
Joanne says
August 17, 2010 at 10:23 amI love a good caprese salad and the presentation here is gorgeous!
Amy B says
August 17, 2010 at 11:35 amI just had a Caprese salad at my cousin's last weekend and, I said to myself, this is the best thing ever! I like your addition of a dollop of pesto. Thanks for posting.
Lauren says
August 17, 2010 at 12:19 pmWhat a gorgeous and clever way to serve caprese salad!
Jess @ Bakericious says
August 17, 2010 at 12:29 pmbeautiful presentation and the delicious salad
teresa says
August 17, 2010 at 12:44 pmthis is so gorgeous!
Laura (Recetas Trucos y Tips) says
August 17, 2010 at 2:00 pmHola!
I have just discovered your blog, I think it's amazing 🙂
I am your follower now
saludos desde España
🙂
katerina says
August 17, 2010 at 3:51 pmBeautiful presentation, but where is the balsamic? It is a must have for me 🙂
Pam says
August 17, 2010 at 4:05 pmNice Kevin – what a beautiful presentation.
Cheryl says
August 17, 2010 at 4:21 pmWhat a smart idea, beautiful too!
Kalyn says
August 17, 2010 at 5:34 pmLooks delicious! I've been in a Caprese Salad mood lately too.
Catherine says
August 17, 2010 at 6:59 pmIt looks absolutely GORGEOUS!
Kat says
August 17, 2010 at 7:23 pmomg that looks amazing! Love it – gotta try it
Kat says
August 17, 2010 at 7:23 pmomg that looks AMAZING! Gotta try it out sometime
Robert says
August 17, 2010 at 7:32 pmThat looks delicious. I love trying new salads, currently this is my favorite http://www.capturinghappiness.com/the-perfect-summer-salad/
The Short (dis)Order Cook says
August 17, 2010 at 8:06 pmYou get bonus points for making a classic salad look so pretty.
This time of year is always something to look forward to tomato-wise. There is the caprese and of course the fresh marinara!
Melicious Meals says
August 17, 2010 at 9:49 pmi still have some green and orange tomatoes in the fridge now, Gee thanks now i gotta run to the store to get buffalo mozz! You make simple ingredients look wonderful, I love your blog!
Kira says
August 17, 2010 at 10:54 pmIt's such a cute caprese too!
Celeste says
August 17, 2010 at 11:05 pmThis is beautiful – a work of art!
Karla @ {The Classy Woman} says
August 17, 2010 at 11:20 pmSuch a simple salad and what a beautiful presentation. Perfect as always! 🙂
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
August 17, 2010 at 11:26 pmjust repeating what everyone else has said, that your presentation is INCREDIBLE and the pic makes me want to go out NOW and buy toms and mozz… and it's midnight here. x
Soma says
August 18, 2010 at 1:24 amThis is one very pretty looking caprese.
"pup" says
August 18, 2010 at 1:35 amThat looks absolutely beautiful!
Anonymous says
August 18, 2010 at 2:54 amSuch a creative presentation for one of my favorite dishes. Perfect for a summer dinner party!
Jan says
August 18, 2010 at 7:00 amYum! Great picture too.
Paula says
August 18, 2010 at 7:28 amI love that kind of caprese salad!
Tengo un horno y sé cómo usarlo says
August 18, 2010 at 10:48 amGreat version of an absolut classic! Joining your blog today. Congratulations for the recipes, and the photos, from Spain.
dena says
August 18, 2010 at 4:56 pmGorgeous! Simply gorgeous!
Kerstin says
August 19, 2010 at 1:52 amWhat a beautiful presentation and great way to elevate the standard caprese salad – love it!
Magic of Spice says
August 19, 2010 at 4:21 amSimply gorgeous…What a wonderful way of presenting this salad…Gorgeous 🙂
Marie says
August 20, 2010 at 2:42 pmI never get tired of a summer Caprese Salad with a good glass of Chianti Classico wine. I love to find new ways to present it and last week I stacked the mozzarella, tomatoes and basil instead of "fanning" them the classic way – not unlike what you're presenting here! Your idea of chopping the tomatoes and tearing the mozzarella apart is even better, it's surely easier to eat without making a mess (which is what happened when I attacked my tower :). The photo is gorgeous, I'll try this plating next time!
Di says
August 20, 2010 at 9:38 pmThis looks beautiful and very tasty!
Anonymous says
August 21, 2010 at 6:46 pmWow, it looks great 🙂
Your wonderful version of the best summer salad ever inspired me to create something similar…
Pamela says
August 23, 2010 at 4:35 pmGorgeous!!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
June 24, 2011 at 6:18 pmWow; you have really come a long way; I remember when all of your photos were on one mat. Absolutely beautiful!