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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.
Heirlooms also have unbeatable flavor, which is why we use them in a classic Caprese Salad.
You 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.
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
- On a serving tray or platter, assemble stacks, with a tomato slice on the bottom, topped with a mozzarella slice and a basil leaf.
- 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?
- 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.
Today 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!
Savory Bites:
- Antipasto Skewers by Simply Gourmet
- Bite-Sized Meatballs by MealDiva
- BLT Bites by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- BLT Canapes by Peaceful Cooking
- BLT Crostini with Basil Mayonnaise by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Blueberry Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini by Casa de Crews
- Brie and Tomato Bruschetta by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Cajun Deviled Eggs by Peanut Better and Peppers
- Charcuterie Board by Family Foodie
- Cheese-Filled Apple Rounds by eatingininstead
- Coquilles St. Jacques by Nosh My Way
- Crudite Platter with Copycat Hidden Valley Ranch Dip by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Crunchy Tuna Salad Boats by A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- Cucumber Sandwiches by Momma’s Meals
- Feta Zucchini Bites by Curious Cuisiniere
- Gluten Free Thai Soup Shooters by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Heirloom Caprese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
- Jalapeño Mac ‘n Cheese Bites by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- The Modern Relish Tray by An Appealing Plan
- Mostarda di Frutta by Rhubarb and Honey
- Pimento Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Magnolia Days
- Ploughman’s Platter for a Party by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Puff Pastry Cheese Sticks by Basic N Delicious
- Rye Party Puffs by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Southwestern Turkey Sliders by The Texan New Yorker
- Spinach and Mushroom Pizza Bites by The Dinner-Mom
- Tomato Basil Soup Shooters by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Zucchini and Summer Squash Crostini by Hip Foodie Mom
Sweet Treats:
- Alice in Wonderland Sugar Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Baked Lemon Glazed Mini Donuts by Killer Bunnies Inc.
- Chocolate Oreo Pocky Cupcakes, Cake, and Morello Cherry Buttercream by NinjaBaking
- French Silk Shooters by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- German Chocolate Brownie Bites by Wallflour Girl
- Mini Banana Nutella Cheesecake Parfaits (#glutenfree option) by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Raspberry Fools by The Foodie Army Wife
- Strawberry Shortcake Dessert Shooters by The Redhead Baker
- Vegan Caramel Truffles by What Smells So Good?
- White Chocolate Peanut Butter & Banana Bites by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Witchy Chocolate Mousse with Culinary Fairy Dust by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Join us around the family table for #SundaySupper
- Twitter how-to: Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag throughout the day on Twitter to see our recipes. To join the conversation anytime, simply use the #SundaySupper hashtag to share your favorite tips and recipes.
- Pinterest: Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more recipes and photos.
- Join: To join the Sunday Supper Movement, sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.
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
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I need your secret ingredient to make this delish salad/appetizer. Off to buy some truffle salt.
Marjory,
We use it on fried eggs, mashed potatoes, polenta…anything that needs little bit of OOMPH!
This is the best part of summer, when the tomatoes and fresh and ripe. I love making caprese with fresh basil from my garden.
Krayl,
It is one of the joys of summer!
yum! This would make a killer alfresco lunch
Jo Jo Ba,
Absolutely right!
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!
Ala,
Food is such a memory device, isn’t it?
Those heirloom tomatoes are gorgeous. I can almost taste all their bright juicy flavor through my computer screen!
Shaina,
They are grabbing you! Go and get some!
Perfect for this time of year. Our heirloom plant produced some beauties this year.
Simply Gourmet,
Jealous! I did not plant heirlooms this year.
Delicious! I love end of the summer heirloom tomatoes!
Jennifer,
The heirlooms ALMOST make up for it being end of summer, eh?
who doesnt just LOVE fresh toms with mozz??? : ) these are so beautiful! (and tasty looking!)
Alice,
Next year I’m growing heirloom varieties in my backyard. It’s a plan!
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.
Oh no, Bobbi, no farmers markets? You must move!
Forget eating something else with this for dinner, I’ll just eat the entire plate!
Brianne,
I totally agree!
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!
Ninja,
The gnarlier the better!
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!)
Shelby,
Thanks, yes, sometimes I don’t want vinegar on it, but the truffle salt really makes it special!
I’d zero in on this tray at any party…especially with heirloom tomatoes AND truffle salt!! YUM!
Liz,
I might have to label it truffle salt at a party, though, so I don’t surprise people!
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.
Thanks Renee. It’s very special with truffle salt!