Description
A quintessential Italian appetizer that celebrates the beauty of simplicity. This vibrant salad combines creamy, top-quality mozzarella with juicy, sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes and fragrant, fresh basil leaves. Drizzled with the finest extra virgin olive oil and finished with a pinch of flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper, this refreshing dish emphasizes the natural, bold flavors of premium seasonal ingredients, making it absolutely perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Ingredients
16 oz fresh mozzarella (buffalo or fior di latte)
3–4 large heirloom tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Slice the fresh mozzarella into rounds approximately one-quarter inch thick.
Slice the tomatoes into rounds of equal thickness for uniform stacking.
Pat the mozzarella slices dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess liquid.
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices in an alternating, overlapping pattern on your serving platter.
Tuck fresh,washed basil leaves between the individual slices of tomato and cheese.
Drizzle the entire arrangement evenly with the extra virgin olive oil.
Season generously with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper just before serving.
Notes
Always serve the salad at room temperature to allow the full flavor profile of the mozzarella and tomatoes to shine. Use the best quality oil you have, as it is a key component. The dish should be assembled right before serving to maintain the freshness of the basil and the texture of the tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Meals
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 50mg