Caprese salad
Capers are a type of flower bud that is often used as a seasoning or a garnish. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used in cooking for centuries. The most common way to use capers is to pickle them in vinegar.
The word "caprese" comes from the Italian word for "goat." This is most likely because the salad was originally made with goat cheese. However, many modern recipes call for mozzarella cheese, which is more commonly available.
The traditional way to make a Caprese salad is to alternate slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and ripe tomatoes, then top with fresh basil leaves and olive oil. Some recipes also call for balsamic vinegar.
Advice
Caprese salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is also easy to make. To make a great caprese salad, start by using the freshest ingredients available. Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes and good-quality mozzarella cheese. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into thick slices, and then stack them on top of each other. To add flavor, drizzle the salad with some extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Finally, to finish the salad off, add a few balsamic glaze to the top. Enjoy!
Questions
What does Caprese mean in a salad?
Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad made of slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil. It is sometimes called Insalata Caprese, meaning "salad of Capri".
How are you supposed to eat Caprese salad?
Caprese salad is typically served as an appetizer or side dish. To eat it, simply layer the tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella slices on a plate and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You can also add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Is eating Caprese salad healthy?
Yes, Caprese salad can be a healthy choice. It typically contains fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, all of which are nutritious ingredients. However, depending on what type of mozzarella cheese you use and what kind of dressing you put on the salad, it may not be as healthy as it could be. Opt for a light vinaigrette or use a low-fat mozzarella to keep the calories and fat content low.
What goes with a Caprese salad?
A Caprese salad typically consists of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, usually seasoned with salt and olive oil. Common accompaniments for a Caprese salad include toasted bread, a light vinaigrette, grilled vegetables, cured meats, and a glass of white wine.
What tomatoes are best for Caprese?
The best tomatoes for Caprese are vine-ripened tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes. These tomatoes are firm, juicy and have a sweet flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish.
How do you cut tomatoes for Caprese salad?
To cut tomatoes for a Caprese salad, you should slice the tomatoes into rounds that are about 1/4 inch thick. You can also cut the tomatoes into wedges or cubes, if desired.
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
White Bean Caprese Salad
- salt
- salt
- navy bean
- basil
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- cherry
- ciliegine
Classic Caprese Salad
- black pepper
- salt
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- basil
- tomato
Baked Caprese Salad
- salt
- basil
- loaf baguette
- mozzarella cheese
- olive oil
- tomato
Caprese Salad
- salt
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- basil
- tomato
Cantaloupe and Mozzarella Caprese Salad
- white balsamic vinegar
- cantaloupe
- honey
- basil
- mint
- mozzarella ball
- olive oil
- prosciutto
- salt
Melon Caprese Salad
- basil
- pine nut
- white balsamic vinegar
- basil
- olive oil
- salt
- mint
- honey
- balls burrata cheese
- melon ball
- prosciutto
- lemon juice
Avocado, Tomato, and Mozzarella Caprese Salad Recipe
- mozzarella cheese
- basil
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- avocado
- tomato
- black pepper
- salt
Caprese Salad
- basil
- black pepper
- salt
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- balsamic vinegar
- tomato
Roasted Tomato and Burrata Caprese Salad
- burrata cheese ball
- salt
- basil
- cherry tomato
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- arugula
- garlic
Caprese Salad
- ball mozzarella
- tomato
- avocado
- pesto dollop
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- salt
- basil
- mint
- peach
- strawberry
Caprese Salad
- salt
- basil
- cherry tomato
- ripened tomato
- olive oil
- balls buffalo mozzarella
Ultimate Caprese Salad
- black pepper
- salt
- basil
- cherry tomato
- tomato
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
Avocado Caprese Salad
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- avocado
- arugula
- campari
- mozzarella cheese
- basil
- sugar
- salt
Burrata Caprese Salad with Garlic Basil Oil
- salt
- salt
- garlicbasil oil
- garlic
- basil
- tomato
- olive oil
- balls burrata
Caprese Salad with Roasted Mango Dressing
- salt
- ball mozzarella
- green mango
- amber agave nectar
- cumin
- fresno chile
- olive oil
- apple cider vinegar
- cilantro
- quarter coins ginger
- ripened red tomato
American Flag Caprese Salad
- salt
- herbed cheese spread
- basil
- olive oil
- purple potato
- mozzarella ball
- cherry tomato
Chopped Caprese Salad
- salt
- red wine vinegar
- garlic
- basil
- kalamata olife
- grape tomato
- olive oil
- romaine heart
- mozzarella cheese
Caprese Salad
- tomato
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- basil
- salt
Caprese Salad
- white wine vinegar
- garlic
- basil
- dijon mustard
- salt
- oregano
- bocconcini
- olive oil
- cherry
- balsamic glaze reduction
- black pepper
Fig Caprese Salad
- black pepper
- salt
- olive oil
- basil
- mozzarella cheese
- fig
Charred Caprese Salad
- salt
- italian seasoning
- olive oil
- black pepper
- salt
- garlic
- basil
- log uncut mozzarella
- balsamic glaze
- tomato
25 Tomato Recipes + THE BEST Caprese Salad
- mozzarella cheese
- balsamic glaze
- basil
- olive oil
- tomato
- mozzarella ball
- black pepper
- salt
Caprese Salad
- black pepper
- mozzarella cheese
- ripened tomato
- basil
- olive oil
- salt
Caprese Salad with Homemade Mozzarella
- basil
- black pepper
- tomato
- olive oil
- milk mozzarella curd
- salt
- water
Caprese Salad With Prosciutto and Fried Artichokes
- salt
- basil
- tomato
- ball mozzarella cheese
- artichoke heart
- olive oil
- green olife
- all purpose flour
- prosciutto
Caprese Salad
- basil
- salt
- olive oil
- goodquality balsamic vinegar
- burrata cheese
- tomato
Peach and Tomato Caprese Salad
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic
- basil
- white balsamic vinegar
- salt
- peach
- tomato
- brown sugar
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
Caprese Salad Recipe
- olive oil
- fleur de sel
- tomato
- mozzarella cheese
- Coarse sea salt, such as Maldon or fleur de sel
- ground black pepper
- basil
Farro Caprese Salad
- balsamic vinegar
- farro
- basil
- arugula
- tomato
- salt
- honey
- water
- mozzarella cheese
- black pepper
- olive oil
Italian Caprese Salad
- basil
- balsamic vinegar
- tomato
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- black pepper
- salt
15-Minute Arugula Caprese Salad
- cherry tomato
- mozzarella cheese
- balsamic honey vinegar
- lemon juice
- black pepper
- salt
- arugula
- olive oil
- avocado
Caprese Salad
- pepper
- salt
- garlic
- tomato
- balsamic vinegar
- basil
- light brown sugar
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
Caprese Salad
- black pepper
- mozzarella cheese
- ripened tomato
- basil
- olive oil
- salt
Quinoa and Burrata Caprese Salad
- burrata cheese ball
- olive oil
- quinoa
- balsamic vinegar
- tomato
- basil
- salt
Peach Caprese Salad
- mozzarella cheese
- olive oil
- peach
- tomato
- balsamic glaze
- salt
- basil
Caprese Salad
- mozzarella cheese
- olive oil
- tomato
- balsamic glaze
- salt
- basil
- pepper
Caprese Salad
- basil
- black pepper
- salt
- olive oil
- mozzarella cheese
- balsamic vinegar
- tomato
Heirloom Caprese Salad
- salt
- tomato
- olive oil
- burrata ball
- black pepper
- basil
Peach Caprese Salad
- balsamic vinegar
- tomato
- peach
- basil
- salt
- pepper
- leaf lettuce
- olive oil
- buffalo mozzarella cheese
Cucumber Caprese Salad (or Pasta Salad)
- english cucumber
- grape tomato
- balsamic glaze
- basil
- mozzarella cheese
- pasta
- salt
Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad
- balsamic vinegar
- basil
- plum tomato
- mozzarella cheese
- sugar
- garlic
- black pepper
- salt
Ingredient Breakdown
Insights
Staple Ingredients
- olive oil 93%
- salt 93%
- basil 90%
Common Ingredients
- tomato 59%
- mozzarella cheese 54%
Usual Ingredients
- black pepper 39%
- balsamic vinegar 27%
Rarey Ingredients
- garlic 17%
- balsamic glaze 12%
- cherry tomato 12%