caprese wow
2-3 large beefsteak tomatoes
1 log fresh mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella
lots of large fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or drizzle nice looking amount of balsamic glaze (Trader Joe’s)
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
- Don’t mess around with tomatoes. If they’re not garden fresh beefsteak tomatoes, preferably from your yard or the yard of someone you know, forget it. Pink, mealy tomatoes from Ralph’s aren’t going to cut it!
- Cut each tomato into slices about ½ inch thick and arrange on a dish. It’s best to use a shallow pan or dish with a lip so that the oil stays where it belongs.
- Cut thin slices of the mozzarella and place a slice on each tomato
- Rinse and dry the basil and place a large leaf on top of the cheese
- Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and drizzle over all the tomatoes. If using the glaze mentioned above, drizzle tomatoes with olive oil, then drizzle with glaze. It’s so pretty!
- Salt and pepper tops of tomatoes to taste
Store bought basil will work but make sure it’s fresh! No dried sprinkles may be used here. If the basil is from the yard, look out for those pesky worms. Nobody likes a worm staring at them whilst perched on the caprese they’re about to eat.