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Simple Caprese Salad

June 5, 2015 by hipfoodiemom 25 Comments

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Simple caprese salad with fresh heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella. So fresh, so good and so easy to make!

A platter of Simple Caprese Salad with a bowl of olives and feta in the center.

If you read my blog on a regular basis you probably know that I am training for a half marathon in August. This experience has been one of the best since moving to Madison because not only have I met some fabulous friends in my running/training group but I also feel great, am running all around the beautiful city of Madison and have my running groove back. When I first started running, back when I was living in San Francisco in 2000, I was running with a friend who was trying to lose weight because she was about to get married . . yes, the wedding dress. I’m so glad I joined her because that was the beginning of my love for running.

Last weekend, after an 8 mile run, in the rain .. this was an experience let me tell you .. Laura, Jayne and I and our families met back up at Jayne’s house for a BBQ. I made this simple caprese salad after seeing this one on Food 52’s IG feed.

Tomatoes for Simple Caprese Salad.

Caprese salads are a summer staple for me. Especially when I can get my hands on beautiful heirloom tomatoes. I’ve probably mentioned this before here on the blog but I’ve come a long way with food you guys. . years ago, a co-worker of mine had an heirloom tomato hook-up. Yes, there is such a thing because I seriously got a huge box full of organic heirloom tomatoes for like $5.

Like, we’re talking maybe a 5 to 7 lb. box of tomatoes. Anyway, this guy comes into my cube at work and sees the heirloom tomatoes and says, “Wow! That’s a whole lot of heirloom tomatoes. What are you going to do with them?” and I reply, “Uh, I dunno. . I’m thinking of making tomato sauce.” And he goes on to explain to me that using heirloom tomatoes for tomato sauce would be like using your best tasting, best quality, expensive gourmet chocolate to make chocolate milk. You simply don’t do that. You just eat the chocolate in it’s pure form, so you can taste it and experience it.

Photo of a platter of Simple Caprese Salad with a bowl of olives and feta in the center.

So, that was the day I learned that you simply eat heirloom tomatoes. You enjoy them. You don’t need to cook them. You don’t make tomato sauce. You enjoy them straight up with fresh mozzarella or burrata with a healthy drizzle of your finest extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

A platter of Simple Caprese Salad with a bowl of olives and feta, and a bottle of olive oil and tomatos in the background.

So, that’s what I did here. And, for this simple caprese salad, it’s all about presentation. Aren’t the colors just stunning?! And people can take however much they want and drizzle the olive oil and vinegars to their hearts’ content. It makes a great appetizer. You need to make this for your next summer dinner party or gathering.

Bottles of olive oil and vinegar for Simple Caprese Salad.

And while I’m at it, you have one more day to enter my Round Pond giveaway. . I’m giving away a full set (8 bottles) of their best-flavored olive oils, vinegars and syrups. This stuff is amazing. Truly. So, enter the giveaway!!

Happy Friday you guys! Wishing everyone a fabulous, sun filled weekend.

Print Recipe

Simple Caprese Salad

Course: Salad or Appetizer
Author: Hip Foodie Mom

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 heirloom tomatoes all different colors, sliced
  • 6 to 8 oz package fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese sliced
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • balsamic vinegar
  • kosher salt if desired

Instructions

  • Using a large round platter, arrange the tomato slices and mozzarella in a repeating fashion, slightly overlapping them as you arrange around the platter. You can either place a single (or few) fresh basil leaves in between each tomato and mozzarella slice or place a few around the platter.
  • Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with a little salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

Simple caprese salad with fresh heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella. So fresh, so good and so easy to make! #capresesalad #summersalad #heirloomtomatoes #tomatoes #easysalad #vegetarian #appetizer #basil #mozzarella

 

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Comments

  1. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    June 5, 2015 at 12:14 am

    Those tomatoes are gorgeous, I could absolutely live on this salad!

    Reply
  2. Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says

    June 5, 2015 at 2:53 am

    I agree with you those colors are stunning! Now I also know what to do with heirloom tomatoes, nothing but enjoy them 🙂

    Reply
  3. Mir says

    June 5, 2015 at 5:06 am

    There’s always that foodie guy at work explaining things to us…I think he’s everywhere! You can tell him that I would totally use amazing chocolate to make chocolate milk. Because, you know, think how GOOD that glass of chocolate milk would be!
    This salad is simplicity at its finest. Those tomatoes are IT. And with the olive oil and the cheese…wow. Talk about a perfect summer starter!

    Reply
  4. David @ Spiced says

    June 5, 2015 at 7:27 am

    This looks absolutely incredible! I am totally digging all of the heirloom tomatoes in there, too. We try to plant 1-2 heirloom tomato plants each year. The only hard part is telling when they are ready to be picked! And I’m with you on this one, delicious tomatoes just call for caprese salad with delicious olive oil. And that Round Pond olive oil looks awesome! Hello, summer!

    Reply
  5. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Ahhhh! This salad just makes me SO dang happy! The colors and all that fresh caprese goodness = Swoon. I can’t wait to try this salad with all our garden tomatoes this summer!

    Reply
  6. Heather - Butter & Burlap says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:13 am

    I fuhreaking love heirloom tomatoes. And mozzarella. And basil. And especially, caprese salad! Seriously, hands down, one of my all time favorites dishes. So good! Good luck training for your marathon! Be sure to ice and take anti-inflammatories to keep the soreness away!

    Reply
  7. Amy @Very Culinary says

    June 5, 2015 at 9:32 am

    My sister is a marathon runner. I, on the other hand, get my 4-5 miles in each morning and call it a day. I think anyone who even does a half marathon is amazing. Thank goodness there’s no distance requirement to eat this salad! All things caprese!!

    Reply
  8. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says

    June 5, 2015 at 9:32 am

    My mom and dad grow their own tomatoes. This is a must make!

    Reply
  9. Cheryl says

    June 5, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Caprese salads clock in as one of my all-time favorite foods–the perfect blend of fresh, juicy tomatoes, rich olive oil, creamy cold mozzarella and herbaceous basil, oh mommy! Those heirloom tomatoes look incredible and now I feel like I need to modify our dinner plans for tomorrow night..

    Reply
  10. marcie says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:42 am

    That’s so true about heirloom tomatoes — they taste the best with a little salt and pepper, or caprese style like this! This is what summer is all about for me — fresh simple ingredients that don’t taste simple! And you go on that half marathon training! 🙂

    Reply
  11. mira says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I’m so glad you are doing well training for half marathon Alice! Cappers salad is a favorite in our house! And this one looks gorgeous! Love heirloom tomatoes! Pinned!

    Reply
  12. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I just can’t get enough of caprese, especially in the summer! This salad looks gorgeous, Alice! I love that you used different tomatoes to pop out the colors. And I’m loving the olives, too!

    Reply
  13. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Caprese is the best and the rainbow of tomatoes is just beyond gorgeous in this salad 🙂

    Reply
  14. Kelly says

    June 5, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Love anything caprese especially in the summer! This salad is gorgeous, Alice! Perfect use of those gorgeous different colored heirloom tomatoes! I want that whole platter for lunch now! Looks so delicious!

    Reply
  15. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    June 5, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    This is one gorgeous salad! Love enjoying summer produce in its simplest form! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
  16. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

    June 5, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    Good for you for your training efforts! I personally love caprese salads. Having fresh summer tomatoes and basil, then topped with soft mozzarella is simply heavenly. There isn’t much better than that in my book!

    Reply
  17. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    June 5, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Just look at all those gorgeous heirloom tomatoes! I wish I had a heirloom tomato hookup like you! Instead, I’ll just spend about $30 at the farmers market, ha! But so worth it. I love caprese salad!

    Reply
  18. Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says

    June 5, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Caprese salad is one of my favorite types of salad. Those tomatoes look so fresh and inviting. Loving the olive oil that goes with it too!

    Reply
  19. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    June 6, 2015 at 11:02 am

    You are going to kick that 1/2 marathon’s butt – I saw you all smiley after a 9-mile run this morning!! You’re almost there already!!

    And LOVELY salad – I could eat this every day of the week!!

    Reply
  20. Maggie says

    June 13, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Love those heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. These are really difficult to get in China but I can have as much as I want after the moving! Really looking forward to cook this simple and classic dish soon 🙂

    Reply
  21. Melissa | Bits of Umami says

    June 17, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Clearly great minds think alike 😉 Loving this! Heirloom tomatoes are so pretty to me. Went olive oil tasting last weekend and now I’m kinda wishing I woulda bought a few bottles so that I had an excuse to stuff my face with some more caprese!

    Reply
  22. Maureen says

    June 17, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    The Caprese salad totally screams summer. And those tomatoes are so gorgeous! And the mozzarella cheese is heaven! It’s flavorful and really delicious! It’s also super healthy! It’s perfect! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Heirloom Tomato Tarts • Hip Foodie Mom says:
    May 21, 2018 at 10:15 am

    […] best eaten raw, in a salad or in a sandwich or something where you don’t cook them, like a Simple Caprese Salad. The mini heirlooms – however- I feel are just as lovely raw and cooked. Again, with the mini […]

    Reply
  2. Simple Cantaloupe Salad + A Giveaway! • Hip Foodie Mom says:
    June 12, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    […] love effortless salads like this simple cantaloupe salad. My Simple Caprese Salad is another uncomplicated but delicious and classic summer salad! Simple Cantaloupe Salad   […]

    Reply
  3. Super Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad • Hip Foodie Mom says:
    January 31, 2019 at 10:17 am

    […] Simple Caprese Salad […]

    Reply

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Meet Alice

Alice Choi from Hip Foodie MomHello! My name is Alice. Here, at Hip Foodie Mom, you will find fresh food recipes using local, seasonal ingredients. From meat dishes to vegetarian to Asian inspired dishes, you are sure to find something you like. Thank you for stopping by!

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