A Caprese salad is one of the best things summer has to offer! It's a simple and delicious way to make use of all those tomatoes and basil that are abundant in the garden in mid-to-late summer. Just add fresh mozzarella, and a balsamic vinegar & maple syrup glaze and you're in for a treat! This is a great recipe to bring to summer parties and picnics, as it is so colorful & fresh and travels well. Make a lot, as it won't last long!
Ingredients:
- Heirloom Tomatoes, sliced (any variety, you can also use cherry tomatoes!)
- Mozzarella, sliced
- 1 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of Maple Syrup (or use honey or agave syrup)
- Optional: Sprig of Oregano, thyme or rosemary
- Fresh Basil leaves
Directions:
On stovetop in a sauce pot, add balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and heat to a simmer, and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it is roughly reduced by half and thicker. Add in optional sprig of herbs for extra flavor about halfway through. Note: it will thicken more when cooled (you can always add a little more balsamic vinegar to thin it to the desired glaze consistency if you over-reduce it). Remove herb sprig if added, and pour into a glass gravy dish or measuring cup with a spout.
Arrange sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on the plate – traditionally the tomato is placed on bottom, mozzarella slice, then a basil leaf on each stack. When ready to serve, drizzle the Balsamic glaze over top of the stacks, and sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Serve!
Variations:
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Alternatively, you can make a simple Caprese salad with a good quality extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of pepper and salt. You can do this instead of or in addition to using a balsamic glaze.
- Simple Vinaigrette: You can also use a simple vinaigrette to dress your Caprese salad. To create a simple vinaigrette, the classic ratio is generally three parts oil to one part vinegar of choice, such as red wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a touch of Dijon mustard or a little bit of maple syrup or honey to help emulsify the dressing and balance the acidity.
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Cherry Tomato Caprese Skewer Option: Use wooden skewers or toothpicks, and layer a halved cherry tomato, a mozzarella pearl or small section of a slice, and a fresh basil leaf. Repeat until skewers are filled.
The Caprese salad is a simple and quick recipe that makes every day gourmet! Make some extra glaze and store in the refrigerator so you can make several Caprese salads quickly as your fresh tomatoes from the garden come in.
There is nothing better to enjoy the summer's bounty than a fresh, homegrown Caprese salad. Enjoy!
