California Caprese Salad {Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, No Cooking}

by Dorothy Reinhold on June 22, 2017


Print This Post Print This Post California Caprese Salad: A classic caprese gets a California twist with the addition of sliced oranges, which go surprisingly well with tomatoes and basil. Fresh mozzarella smoothes everything out.

The days have turned hot and still. Can it even BE this hot this early in the summer?

All we want is a cool, calm, collected lunch or dinner, with no muss and fuss, with no nonsense and certainly no cooking. Whatsoever.

And we want it immediately, as in, moments after the first hunger pangs strike. We are impatient 21st century people. Is 5 minutes too long to wait? Nah, not for this.

California Caprese Salad summer recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.comThis California Caprese Salad is my choice for when I. Just. Can’t. Even.

Sunny oranges go surprisingly well with fresh summer tomatoes, as if they were born to be in the same family.

California Caprese Salad recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.comTry it!

Vegetarian California Caprese Salad Recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.com

California Caprese Salad

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: Serves 2

California Caprese Salad: A classic caprese gets a California twist with the addition of sliced oranges, which go surprisingly well with tomatoes and basil. Fresh mozzarella smoothes everything out.

Ingredients

  • 4-6 ounces fresh mozzarella
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 naval orange
  • 12-16 large fresh basil leaves
  • Extra-virgin olive oil (use the best you can afford)
  • White balsamic glaze (or red balsamic glaze) (this is optional but I like it)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • A few grains salt

Directions

  1. Slice mozzarella into half-moons, in an even number of slices. Slice tomatoes thickly, into half-moons, in an even number of slices. Peel skin off orange and slice thickly into an even number of slices, and then half-moons, (Half moon slices on all allow the pieces to stack neatly on the plate, flat side resting on the plate.)
  2. Assemble salad: On each plate, stack a mozz slice, tomato slice, basil slice and orange slice, and then repeat. Repeat on the other plate, using all. The order is not important, just that you make a stack that pleases YOU! Drizzle with olive oil, and a bit of balsamic glaze, and finish in a shower of black pepper and the tiniest pinch of salt. (Omit salt if you desire, or if you need to.)
  3. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy your salad!
  4. Serves 2.

Notes

Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/california-caprese-salad/

areyoupinningIf you like this recipe and want to save it, pin the image below to your Pinterest board.

Easy California Caprese Salad recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.com

If you love caprese, also try this:

Heirloom Caprese Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.com

Heirloom Caprese Salad

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Patricia @ Grab a Plate June 28, 2017 at 7:56 pm

Ugh – the weather here in Phoenix has been unimaginably hot. I know it’s warmer than usual in other spots, too. Good thing we have this treat to hit the spot. LOVE the citrus with the tomatoes. Brilliant!

Reply

Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons June 28, 2017 at 8:20 am

I love, love, love the citrus! What a fabulous addition!

Reply

Megan @ MegUnprocessed June 27, 2017 at 12:23 pm

This looks like one tasty salad!

Reply

Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling June 25, 2017 at 7:55 pm

I love the addition of oranges!!!

Reply

Sam | Ahead of Thyme June 25, 2017 at 4:56 pm

Now this is my kind of salad!! Looks SO delicious!!

Reply

Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop June 25, 2017 at 6:27 am

This does look like a perfect summer salad! It’s pretty enough to serve for a dinner party too!

Reply

Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry June 25, 2017 at 3:47 am

This is one of my favourite salads. Love that you have added orange to it, great for vitamin C

Reply

Dahn June 24, 2017 at 6:51 pm

what a great twist on a caprese salad, this sounds great

Reply

Sandi G June 24, 2017 at 6:47 pm

This is a gorgeous salad…perfect for entertaining.

Reply

Catalina @ Peas & Peonies June 24, 2017 at 12:06 pm

Awesome! I am so curious to try this combination!

Reply

Katerina @ diethood .com June 24, 2017 at 11:36 am

Such an incredible salad!! I love the flavors!! YUM!!

Reply

Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet June 23, 2017 at 9:56 pm

That looks like my kind of salad and the oranges sound like a fabulous addition!

Reply

Michelle June 23, 2017 at 7:16 pm

What a great salad! I love the addition of orange slices!

Reply

Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) June 23, 2017 at 4:52 pm

This is quite possibly the most perfect salad ever!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 23, 2017 at 5:38 pm

Jocelyn,
Thank you! I might have to agree, because I ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 🙂

Reply

Christina Shoemaker June 23, 2017 at 4:04 pm

What a gorgeous summer dish! I love the addition of orange here! It looks so delicious!

Reply

Patty @ Spoonabilities June 23, 2017 at 3:55 pm

I am definitely going to try this soon! Caprese salads are one of my very favorites, and I just love the oranges in there. Very very nice!

Reply

Amanda June 23, 2017 at 3:01 pm

This is one of those perfectly balanced salads that truly impresses guests. I love the sweetness of the oranges, tangy and sweet tomatoes and that fresh basil. Of course it isn’t Caprese salad without a creamy fresh mozzarella. I would have this every day.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold June 23, 2017 at 4:45 pm

Amanda,
Me too. I ate some for breakfast the other day!

Reply

Catherine Pappa June 23, 2017 at 2:30 pm

This salad is absolutely beautiful! I love the addition of the orange slices…such a refreshing take!

Reply

Jen June 23, 2017 at 1:27 pm

Our Friday dinners are always a lighter affair and this looks like it should be next on the list!

Reply

Stephanie@ApplesforCJ June 23, 2017 at 12:36 pm

Now this is my kind of salad! Wish I had some Right now. Love the addition of navel oranges 🙂

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: