Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad has three main ingredients: tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. These ingredients by themselves are deliciously fresh and flavorful, but the key ingredients? Oil and vinegar.

Caprese salad is a summer staple where I am from. Freshly picked tomatoes and basil paired perfectly with fresh mozzarella. Growing up I would watch my mom come up with a meal in a very short amount of time after coming home from work. Every meal she made was delicious and was usually made with fresh ingredients, which we were very blessed to have access to.

There is something wonderful about fresh simple food. In our daily lives things can be hectic, loud, and overwhelming. It is a beautiful thing to be able to sit down and enjoy a fresh dish that only took a few minutes. When I say enjoy I mean make it last. Savor every bite, and use your senses to understand the simple flavors provided to us by nature. That is what I ask when/if you create this dish. There is something to be said for simple, and it is this dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tomato of choice, Cherokee Purple is wonderful when they’re in season

• 1/2 large fresh monzarella ball

• 3 fresh basil leaves, minced or torn into small pieces

• 2 tbs olive oil

• 1 tbs balsamic or red wine vinegar

• salt

• pepper

• garlic (1/2 tsp powder, or 1 small garlic clove minced)

Directions:

Slice tomato and fresh mozzarella into half inch slices, set aside. Combine basil, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic into small bowl and mix. Place tomatoes on plate and top with mozzarella. Drizzle vinaigrette mixture over tomatoes and mozzarella. Enjoy!

1-2 servings, pairs well with white wine