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 caprese salad after seeing this one on Food 52’s IG feed.
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.
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.
So, that’s what I did here. And, for this dish, 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. You need to make this for your next dinner party or gathering.
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!!
- 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)
- 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!
Happy Friday you guys! Wishing everyone a fabulous, sun filled weekend.
Those tomatoes are gorgeous, I could absolutely live on this salad!
I agree with you those colors are stunning! Now I also know what to do with heirloom tomatoes, nothing but enjoy them 🙂
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!!
My mom and dad grow their own tomatoes. This is a must make!
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..
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! 🙂
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!
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!
Caprese is the best and the rainbow of tomatoes is just beyond gorgeous in this salad 🙂
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!
This is one gorgeous salad! Love enjoying summer produce in its simplest form! Pinned 🙂
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!
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!
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!
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!!
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 🙂
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!
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! 🙂