Simple Caprese Salad ~ Diane's Vintage Zest!

Simple Caprese Salad

The end of summer is always a sad time for me.  The long, hot days are wonderful in California, and the weather is perfect for my mother's garden (which you might remember from this post).  She always gives me a large tomato bumper crop from her many tomato plants, as well as a ton of basil.

Earlier this summer, I tried a roasted tomato soup (which I have yet to blog about!) which was pretty good.  I also had a couple of recipes which used some of the crop, including the Basil, Rosemary and Tomato Focaccia and the "Pantry Fresh" Pesto Pasta Salad.

I love coming up with new recipes to use my abundant tomato stock.  However, none of these dishes really let the fresh tomatoes sing on their own.  That is why my absolute favorite summertime tomato dish is a simple Caprese Salad!


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!

A few months ago, I shared with you my favorite salad.  I should probably clarify that the recipe I posted about is definitely my favorite lettuce-based salad.  The caprese salad is absolutely my favorite salad, bar none!


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!


Caprese Salad
Ingredients
  • Tomatoes, chopped (roma, cherry, etc.)
  • Mozzarella, chopped into cubes
  • Basil, chopped
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt, freshly ground
  • Pepper


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!


Directions

1. Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Note: I do not put amounts because the amounts will depend on the ratio of tomatoes to mozzarella that you prefer!

2. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to taste.
Note: I also do not include amounts for the oil and vinegar because it depends on your preferred flavor profile.  I tend to add more balsamic vinegar than most people because I like the bite!

3. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

4. Enjoy!


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!


To serve the salad, it is wonderful on its own!  However, it is always a good idea to serve it alongside some toasted crostini, focaccia, or flatbreads.  It lends itself extremely well to becoming an impromptu bruschetta or "pizza."


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!


Isn't this such a beautiful salad?  I love the colors, and just seeing the pictures makes me want to go to Italy and eat one of these every day!  Since we are nearly at the end of the summer, the tomato plant is getting to the end of its season.  :(

Until then, I'll be eating one of these salads and coaxing every tomato I can out of the plant.

Buon appetito!


Simple Caprese Salad on Diane's Vintage Zest!




31 comments:

  1. I LOVE this salad- we eat it almost daily in the summer! thanks for linking up to wake up wednesdays

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks delicious - and your photos are amazing!!!
    xo ~kim & chloe

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is there anything better than fresh mozzarella and basil?? I think not!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's my favorite part of having such productive tomato and basil plants in the summer. :) Just add mozzarella!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It definitely is delicious, and I'm trying to get better at photographing my food. :) Thanks for noticing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, that looks so delicious! I don't enjoy homegrown tomatoes as often as I should. My husband is anti-tomatoes, but I love them. :) The smell of a tomato plant is probably my favorite scent of summer. Visiting you from the Foodie Friday link up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're absolutely right! As much as I love the smell of a tomato plant, the basil plant aroma is even better. :) Definitely the reasons that this is my favorite summer salad!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The perfect summer salad. Simple and sophisticated. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is my favorite salad too! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the simplicity! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have had a great weekend and have a fabulous week.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks
    so much for sharing your recipe at the Krafty Inspiration Thursday party. I can’t wait to
    see what you’ve been up to this week, the party is live at 7 am est.

    Happy Thursday!

    Maria @ Krafty Cards etc.

    http://kraftycardsetc.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. One of my favorites...and can you believe I have never made it! Thanks for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so simple I think I can even handle it! Sounds delish! Thanks for sharing on Sunday FUNday!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm just crazy about caprese these days. I found your recipe over at the Show Me
    What Ya Got link party. I host Tickle My
    Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this
    recipe. I’m sure our party goers would
    love it! Here is the link http://bit.ly/1nY3oYQ. Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is one of my favorite salads! Yum! Pinned it :) Stopping by from Gingersnap Crafts :)

    Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic
    www.blissfulanddomestic.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. My brother and I were raised on this kinda stuff! Gramma was from Sicily and she watched us while my mom & dad went to work. We loved Gramma's cookin' to say the least. mmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  18. I pinned your salad too, and I forgot to mention I have a Recipe linky on Fridays so I hope you come by and share with my readers your recipes then. I gotta go make a salad now. hehehe Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is one of my favorite salads, ever! :) YUM!

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this type of salad. So refreshing during the summer to eat a cold salad like this. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is a perfect recipe to use all the tomatoes from our veggie garden! Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing on Show-Licious! Pinning!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This looks amazing, Diane! Nothing beats the summer heat like a yummy caprese salad!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This makes my mouth water, yum! Thanks for sharing at our Link it or Lump it party!

    ReplyDelete
  24. That looks sooo good - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This recipe looks absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to try it and see if it is a hit
    with my boys. Stopping by from the
    Create Link Inspire Party!

    Amanda

    www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there! Stopping by from the Friendship Friday blog party. I love caprese salad too! Your salad looks so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  27. We just planted our veggie garden this weekend! I can't wait for fresh tomatoes to make this recipe! Thank you so much for the inspiration and for sharing on Show Me Saturday! Pinning to all kinds of boards so I remember to make this! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yay! Enjoy the recipe, and I can't wait for my mom's garden to start producing too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I just love a good Caprese Salad and your Salad looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.

    Come Back Soon!

    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear your comments! And putting in your two cents is always free. :)

.