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caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes and capers


Caprese salad is one of our favorite summer salads. I can't think of a better way to show off sliced heirloom tomatoes then to coat them with extra virgin basil infused olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped sweet basil, capers, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Try to find the best fresh Mozzarella to slice on top and you're done, voila! you're having a delicious salad tonight.  I make caprese salad in the Summer all the time, almost every time I bring home heirloom tomatoes. I'm not a picky eater but caprese salad has to be made with the best ripe tomatoes, if you don't have good tomatoes then don't make this salad, just saying.  I also grow sweet basil in my garden, which is easy to do in the warm summer months.  If you have a small garden plot I encourage you to plant a few of your favorite herbs, definitely can't go wrong with fresh basil.

Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Capers
serves 2-3

2 large Heirloom tomatoes, sliced
1-2 large ball(s) fresh Mozzarella, sliced
Sprigs of fresh sweet basil, folded and thinly sliced, plus extra sprigs or leaves for the plate
1 tablespoon capers
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin basil infused olive oil, plus more to drizzle on Mozarella
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, or to taste
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Place the tomatoes, basil, capers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix together.
Divide up the tomato mixture onto your plates and add the mozzarella, season with salt and pepper to taste and drizzle mozzarella with extra olive oil before serving.







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