Caprese Salad

The edible Italian flag; no cooking required.

Total: 5 minDifficulty: EasyYield: 2 Servings

Timing note: 5 mins

VegetarianGluten-FreeItalian

Full recipe Frame mode

Caprese Salad

The edible Italian flag; no cooking required.

Total: 5 minDifficulty: EasyYield: 2 Servings

Timing note: 5 mins

VegetarianGluten-FreeItalian

Full recipe Frame mode

The Key Move

Sourcing. There is no cooking to hide behind. If the tomato is mealy or the mozzarella is rubbery, the dish fails

Leagues

Take This Recipe Into Leagues

Find an active challenge, vote, or challenge the current king.

Browse Leagues

The Setup

Chef's Knife
Cutting Board

The Mise en Place

Your prep station before cooking begins

Units

The Spice Blend (0/1)

2 gflaky salt(Maldon or Fleur de Sel)

The Pantry (0/1)

30 mLextra virgin olive oil(The best you have)

Other (0/3)

2 largeheirloom tomatoes(Room temp, sliced thick)

1 ballmozzarella di bufala(Sliced thick)

15 gfresh basil(Whole leaves)

My plate has extra liquid pooling at the bottom.

Ah, I see. You salted the tomatoes too early, didn't you? That draws out all their precious juice. For next time, remember to salt them right before you serve. That way, you keep a…

My tomatoes taste bland and mealy.

That's a common one. Refrigeration is the enemy of tomato flavor – it kills the enzymes that make them taste so good. Always keep your tomatoes at room temperature. If they've been…

Chef's Notes

Tip

Use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find. Heirloom varieties are excellent.

Tip

Gently tear fresh basil leaves instead of chopping to preserve their delicate flavor and aroma.

Serving

Drizzle with high-quality balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy counterpoint.

Make Ahead

Slice tomatoes and mozzarella ahead of time. Assemble just before serving to prevent sogginess.

The Method

LAYER

Alternate Tomato and Mozzarella slices on a plate.

Use similar thickness for both • Alternating red and white

Checkpoint:

Ingredients should be layered, not tossed, to preserve the distinct texture of the cheese

TUCK

Place Basil leaves between the layers.

Use whole leaves, not chopped • Green basil peeking between slices

Checkpoint:

Basil should be visible between layers

DRESS

Drizzle generously with Oil. Sprinkle with Salt. Note: Do not use balsamic vinegar if you want the traditional version; it overpowers the delicate cheese.

Use good quality oil - it's a main flavor • Glossy oil on tomatoes and cheese

Checkpoint:

Oil should coat but not pool