The Italian tricolor that needs no passport
Some recipes need a long list of ingredients. Then there’s Caprese, which basically walks into the kitchen, looks at the fridge, and says, “That’s enough.”
Ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and good extra virgin olive oil. That’s the whole list. No pots to watch, no oven to turn on.
The Insalata Caprese is believed to have originated on the island of Capri, in Campania, during the first decades of the 20th century, probably in the 1920s. Its exact origins, however, have never been firmly documented, and several stories about its beginnings have appeared over the years.
One thing is impossible to miss, though: its little color masterpiece. Red, white, and green, just like the Italian tricolor.
And here comes the real secret of Caprese: simplicity has no mercy for mediocre ingredients. A bland tomato or a flavorless mozzarella can turn what should be a spectacular summer dish into something that makes you wish you had ordered a pizza instead.
So choose fresh, flavorful ingredients, put everything together, season it, and let the ingredients do the work.
Because with a recipe this simple, there are no tricks: either the ingredients are good, or it shows.
Insalata Caprese
Descrizione
Caprese is Italian cuisine at its most relaxed: a handful of ingredients, no cooking required, and plenty of flavor. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or light lunch, this summer classic proves one important thing: when the ingredients are really good, doing too much is almost a crime.
Ingredients
Istruzioni
-
Bring the mozzarella to room temperature 🥛
Take the mozzarella out of the refrigerator at least one hour before preparing the Caprese and let it rest in its liquid at room temperature. This allows it to develop more flavor and gives it a better texture.
Meanwhile, choose tomatoes that are roughly the same size as the mozzarella. This way, when you alternate the slices, the final presentation will look nice and balanced.
-
Prepare the tomatoes 🍅
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and dry them well. Cut them into even slices, not too thin, about half a centimeter thick, using a sharp knife.
Arrange the slices on a plate or cutting board and add a pinch of salt. Don't go overboard: the mozzarella will already bring some saltiness to the dish.
-
Slice the mozzarella 🔪
Drain the mozzarella and cut it into slices about the same thickness as the tomatoes.
If it releases a lot of liquid, let the slices drain for a few minutes, then gently pat them dry with paper towels. The goal is to keep your plate from turning into a tiny swimming pool.
-
Assemble the Caprese 🥗
Now comes the easiest part, and also the most photogenic.
Arrange the slices on a plate, alternating one slice of tomato with one slice of mozzarella until you've used everything. You can line them up, arrange them in a fan, or create a circle. No geometry degree required, just make it look good to you.
-
Season and finish 🌿
Add a few leaves of fresh basil, tucking them between the tomato and mozzarella slices.
Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and, if you like, add a light sprinkle of dried oregano.
Taste before adding any extra salt: the mozzarella may already be salty enough.
-
Serve immediately 🍽️
Your Insalata Caprese is ready.
Serve it as soon as it's prepared, preferably at room temperature, so the tomatoes and mozzarella can show off their best flavor.
Valori nutrizionali
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 351kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 29.6g46%
- Saturated Fat 18.1g91%
- Sodium 586mg25%
- Total Carbohydrate 4.3g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1.2g5%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 17.6g36%
* La percentuale dei valori giornalieri si basa su una dieta di 2000 calorie. I tuoi valori giornalieri potrebbero variare in base al tuo fabbisogno calorico.
Nota
Caprese is at its best when freshly prepared, so it's best enjoyed right away.
The quality of the ingredients really matters: choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and good extra virgin olive oil.
Add the basil just before serving so it keeps its aroma and color as well as possible.
