Heirloom Caprese Salad

by Dorothy Reinhold on August 31, 2014


Print This Post Print This Post Heirloom Caprese Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.com

Even though school is back in session, summer is still going strong here, and heirloom tomatoes are bursting out everywhere!

A Sunday morning trip to the farmers market or supermarket is not complete until I have a satchel full of heavy tomatoes in every color, gnarled and ridged, striped and flecked with imperfections — a particular brand of unique beauty only heirlooms have.

Heirloom Caprese Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comHeirlooms also have unbeatable flavor, which is why we use them in a classic Caprese Salad

Heirloom Caprese Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comYou know caprese, right? Fresh mozzarella (not the rubbery stuff), a slice of juicy heirloom tomato, a fresh basil leaf, a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Hint: The salt I use is my secret ingredient.

That’s really the entire recipe right there. But of course I’ll write it out for you, in case this is your first time making it.

We can make a whole lunch or dinner out of this, with some good French or Italian bread, a glass of wine, and maybe a couple of bites of something else. Salami? A green salad? Dessert? You decide.

Make this, before the heirlooms are gone and Fall descends.

Heirloom Caprese Salad

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Varies, from 4-8

Classic Caprese Salad gets a flavor boost from late-summer heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and a splash of good olive oil. The secret ingredient is truffle salt!

Ingredients

  • Heirloom tomatoes (use a variety of colors if you can)
  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Fresh basil
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Truffle salt (or kosher or sea salt)

Directions

  1. On a serving tray or platter, assemble stacks, with a tomato slice on the bottom, topped with a mozzarella slice and a basil leaf.
  2. When you have the platter filled, drizzle over all with olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of truffle salt. If your family doesn't like truffle salt (first of all, what's wrong with them? Second of all, send me your bottle!), substitute kosher salt or sea salt or another favorite flavored salt. How about Pink Hawaiian salt, for example?
  3. Allow 1-2 stacks per person for an appetizer or side salad dish, or perhaps 4-5 if you are using this as a main course. Make plenty!

Notes

Recipe source; Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious. This is a classic recipe and each person makes it her own way, but most recipes for this are similar.

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

Heirloom Caprese Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comSunday Supper badgeToday our Sunday Supper group offers you food on Tantalizing Trays, hosted by Constance from The Foodie Army Wife. Try my Caprese Salad or something else from the list below that floats your boat!

Now let’s hit the kitchen. Sunday Supper will be here before you know it!

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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }

Marjory @ Dinner-Mom September 2, 2014 at 5:05 pm

I need your secret ingredient to make this delish salad/appetizer. Off to buy some truffle salt.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 2, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Marjory,
We use it on fried eggs, mashed potatoes, polenta…anything that needs little bit of OOMPH!

Reply

Krayl @ An Appealing Plan September 2, 2014 at 10:30 am

This is the best part of summer, when the tomatoes and fresh and ripe. I love making caprese with fresh basil from my garden.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 2, 2014 at 11:19 am

Krayl,
It is one of the joys of summer!

Reply

jo_jo_ba September 1, 2014 at 5:35 pm

yum! This would make a killer alfresco lunch

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 6:06 pm

Jo Jo Ba,
Absolutely right!

Reply

Ala September 1, 2014 at 4:32 pm

I had the best heirloom tomatoes of my life at camp one summer and am totally on board with this recipe. SO many memories–glad you could share this with us!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 6:07 pm

Ala,
Food is such a memory device, isn’t it?

Reply

Shaina September 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm

Those heirloom tomatoes are gorgeous. I can almost taste all their bright juicy flavor through my computer screen!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 6:07 pm

Shaina,
They are grabbing you! Go and get some!

Reply

Simply Gourmet September 1, 2014 at 11:28 am

Perfect for this time of year. Our heirloom plant produced some beauties this year.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 12:08 pm

Simply Gourmet,
Jealous! I did not plant heirlooms this year.

Reply

Jennifer Miller August 31, 2014 at 5:50 pm

Delicious! I love end of the summer heirloom tomatoes!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 7:06 am

Jennifer,
The heirlooms ALMOST make up for it being end of summer, eh?

Reply

Alice August 31, 2014 at 3:14 pm

who doesnt just LOVE fresh toms with mozz??? : ) these are so beautiful! (and tasty looking!)

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 7:07 am

Alice,
Next year I’m growing heirloom varieties in my backyard. It’s a plan!

Reply

Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen August 31, 2014 at 2:35 pm

I wish we had farmer’s markets here! I haven’t seen but a handful of heirloom tomatoes, and those were at the grocery store so I was kind of iffy about them.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 1, 2014 at 7:08 am

Oh no, Bobbi, no farmers markets? You must move!

Reply

Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips August 31, 2014 at 11:12 am

Forget eating something else with this for dinner, I’ll just eat the entire plate!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 31, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Brianne,
I totally agree!

Reply

The Ninja Baker August 31, 2014 at 10:58 am

Aha! Truffle salt is the secret…Must say it makes my mouth water to think about said salt on gnarled but oh so beautiful heirloom tomatoes!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 31, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Ninja,
The gnarlier the better!

Reply

Shelby August 31, 2014 at 6:29 am

I love the simplicity of caprese salad. I love that you used truffle salt, I think that is a great change from me drizzling with reduced balsalamic (although that is good too!)

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 31, 2014 at 9:52 am

Shelby,
Thanks, yes, sometimes I don’t want vinegar on it, but the truffle salt really makes it special!

Reply

Liz August 31, 2014 at 4:46 am

I’d zero in on this tray at any party…especially with heirloom tomatoes AND truffle salt!! YUM!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 31, 2014 at 9:53 am

Liz,
I might have to label it truffle salt at a party, though, so I don’t surprise people!

Reply

Renee August 31, 2014 at 2:58 am

This makes me want to run to the market and get some of those awesome heirloom tomatoes before they are gone. Great idea to use the truffle salt too.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 31, 2014 at 9:53 am

Thanks Renee. It’s very special with truffle salt!

Reply

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