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!
What a great twist on Caprese Salad, the presentation is completely beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful presentation Kevin.
OMG…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! 🙂
Fantastic, 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.
What a gorgeous presentation of a caprese salad!
I love this! What a nice take (and lovely presentation) on Caprese.
Lovely deconstructed caprese salad, especially with those dots of pesto adding even more color.
A nice take on Caprese Salad!
The Peach Kitchen
peach and things
blowing peachkisses
beautiful presentation, Kevin!
Definitely one of my favourite salads Kevin!!
For 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.
You always amaze me with your presentation, next time I wanna impress someone.. I'll serve this as a starter for sure!!
I love caprese salad – your salad is absolutely beautiful. This would make a great presentation next time we're entertaining!
What beautiful plating! You're a very talented food stylist. Your photos are always gorgeous! (Oh yes, and the salad looks delicious as well!)
Great presentation. Love caprese with buffalo mozzarella.
Stunning presentation, Kevin. The first few tomatoes just showed up at our market too.
Beautiful 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.
you need to pop by and get some fresh tomatoes from our garden!!! this is wonderful…we had some salad tonight and it was amazing!!!
What a beautiful plate. Nice work!
So 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.
This is gorgeous! I love a great caprese salad and this looks like a fabulous twist on it
It 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!
So good looking and full of vibrant colours ♥
It looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Que ensalada tan sencilla y maravillosa. Esta con tu permiso me la copio, me ha encantado. SAludos
I love a good caprese salad and the presentation here is gorgeous!
I 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.
What a gorgeous and clever way to serve caprese salad!
beautiful presentation and the delicious salad
this is so gorgeous!
Hola!
I have just discovered your blog, I think it's amazing 🙂
I am your follower now
saludos desde España
🙂
Beautiful presentation, but where is the balsamic? It is a must have for me 🙂
Nice Kevin – what a beautiful presentation.
What a smart idea, beautiful too!
Looks delicious! I've been in a Caprese Salad mood lately too.
It looks absolutely GORGEOUS!
omg that looks amazing! Love it – gotta try it
omg that looks AMAZING! Gotta try it out sometime
That looks delicious. I love trying new salads, currently this is my favorite http://www.capturinghappiness.com/the-perfect-summer-salad/
You 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!
i 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!
It's such a cute caprese too!
This is beautiful – a work of art!
Such a simple salad and what a beautiful presentation. Perfect as always! 🙂
just 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
This is one very pretty looking caprese.
That looks absolutely beautiful!
Such a creative presentation for one of my favorite dishes. Perfect for a summer dinner party!
Yum! Great picture too.
I love that kind of caprese salad!
Great version of an absolut classic! Joining your blog today. Congratulations for the recipes, and the photos, from Spain.
Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous!
What a beautiful presentation and great way to elevate the standard caprese salad – love it!
Simply gorgeous…What a wonderful way of presenting this salad…Gorgeous 🙂
I 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!
This looks beautiful and very tasty!
Wow, it looks great 🙂
Your wonderful version of the best summer salad ever inspired me to create something similar…
Gorgeous!!
Wow; you have really come a long way; I remember when all of your photos were on one mat. Absolutely beautiful!