Caprese Salad
Tomatoes are at their peak and it’s a perfect time to make this classic Italian Salad for lunch or alongside a beautifully grilled steak! This was my absolute “go to” salad throughout Italy!
Caprese Salad
This is a must throughout the summer when the tomatoes start to ripen. If pressed for time a really good balsamic vinegar reduction and a bit of olive oil can be drizzled instead of making the dressing. Our favorite reduction is Edible Gardens Special Reserve made in Surrey, B.C. and available online.This salad recipe was adapted from the Osteria de Medici Restaurant, Calgary, many years ago.
Ingredients
Salad
- Use 400 grams of any of the tomatoes listed below:
- 3 cups (400 grams) large yellow/orange cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups (400 grams) large red cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 – 6 medium vine ripened (400 grams) yellow/orange tomatoes, sliced
- 4 – 6 medium vine ripened (400 grams) red tomatoes, sliced
- 3 medium (203 gr) Bocconcini balls
- 12 – 15 fresh basil leaves
Caprese Dressing
- *The better and more expensive the balsamic vinegar the sweeter and thicker it is.
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 TBSP (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. fresh oregano finely chopped or ¼ tsp. dry
- 1 tsp. fresh parsley finely chopped or ¼ tsp. dry
Instructions
- Gently mix all dressing ingredients. The dressing can be made earlier in the day, just give it a bit of a stir before using.
- Layer the tomatoes on a platter, tuck in slices of bocconcini and the basil leaves. The colors of Italy! Drizzle the dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
If this is lunch: a crisp white, New World or Old-World pairs beautifully. Sancerre, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. We’ve also successfully paired a Dry Rose on a hot summer day as well.
If you are having the salad with a grilled steak, a Pinot Noir works very well. Surprisingly the Chianti wasn’t quite right and stay away from the big reds you might normally pair with a steak.
We’ve Paired:
- Cotes des Roses
- Mission Hill 5 Vineyards Rose
- Domaine Delaporte Sancerre
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
- Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino
- La Crema Pinot Noir