Print This Post
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.
This 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.
Try it!
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
- 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.)
- 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.)
- Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy your salad!
- Serves 2.
Notes
Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious
If you like this recipe and want to save it, pin the image below to your Pinterest board.
If you love caprese, also try this:
Heirloom Caprese Salad
Welcome to my kitchen!
At ShockD, you’ll find scrumptious, tried & true, "scary good" recipes, tips and coaching to make YOU a fabulous home cook! Don't blame me if you need a 12-step program to wean yourself away!
E-mail me: Dorothy.Reinhold@gmail.com
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
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!
I love, love, love the citrus! What a fabulous addition!
This looks like one tasty salad!
I love the addition of oranges!!!
Now this is my kind of salad!! Looks SO delicious!!
This does look like a perfect summer salad! It’s pretty enough to serve for a dinner party too!
This is one of my favourite salads. Love that you have added orange to it, great for vitamin C
what a great twist on a caprese salad, this sounds great
This is a gorgeous salad…perfect for entertaining.
Awesome! I am so curious to try this combination!
Such an incredible salad!! I love the flavors!! YUM!!
That looks like my kind of salad and the oranges sound like a fabulous addition!
What a great salad! I love the addition of orange slices!
This is quite possibly the most perfect salad ever!
Jocelyn,
Thank you! I might have to agree, because I ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 🙂
What a gorgeous summer dish! I love the addition of orange here! It looks so delicious!
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!
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.
Amanda,
Me too. I ate some for breakfast the other day!
This salad is absolutely beautiful! I love the addition of the orange slices…such a refreshing take!
Our Friday dinners are always a lighter affair and this looks like it should be next on the list!
Now this is my kind of salad! Wish I had some Right now. Love the addition of navel oranges 🙂