This seems like a no brainer but this “salad” is one of my absolute favorites. When you use fresh, well made ingredients the flavor is absolutely amazing. I figured as we say goodbye to summer (even though it’s been 70 lately) I would say goodbye with something that always makes me think of summer.
I think this salad reminds me of summer because when you use fresh tomatoes from the garden you can practically taste the sunshine, the basil adds the burst of fresh flavor and the balsamic vinegar is the sweetness that rounds it all out. Mozzarella is so mild it’s the texture that adds to this dish, it absorbs the balsamic and is the perfect squish to the crunch of the tomatoes and basil.
Notes From the Farmer
The middle of the fall marks the time to watch out for the first frost. Make sure you gather all your goodies before the frost. We were able to grab most things but forgot the basil. The next morning we were greeted with brown wilty basil. We’ll have to start with some indoor plants and herbs for the winter especially with the herbs to keep the fresh taste going.
You can make this dish as a salad like I did, or for a nicer presentation cut slices of tomatoes, lay them out flat with round slices of mozzarella on top, top them with leaves of basil and drizzle balsamic over, it’s easier to drizzle with a balsamic glaze, a more reduced version of balsamic vinegar.
This is combo of ingredients is often confused as Caprese salad, but this is just a version. Caprese salad is an Italian salad made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag but it is made with olive oil and sea salt, not balsamic.
Ingredients:
Mozzarella
Tomatoes – large quartered or cut into bite sized chunks or cherry cut in half
Fresh basil leaves – large flat leaves or chiffonade leaves
Balsamic glaze or vinaigrette
The amounts vary, it all depends on how much you like, if you like more basil, add more basil, if you love tomatoes then add more of those, cheese lovers mozzarella it up!
You can add pasta as well, mini farafalle (mini bowties)or orechiette (little mini saucers)or other another small pasta variety. Just cook the pasta normally, rinse it in cool water and add.
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