Monday, August 27, 2012

Caprese Salad

I get a little giddy every time tomato season hits. During most of the year, tomatoes still remain a staple of my everyday cooking but I look at them with less of a loving eye. They don't come close to what what they taste like at this time of year and often feel bland and uninteresting. Plump, heirloom tomatoes at their peak are a whole different story - they can happily be enjoyed .with a simple drizzle of good olive oil, some fleur de sel and a few speckles of cracked black pepper only, and I often just snack on them with a few speckles of salt.


During the wintertime, produce has to be cajoled a little more to be turned into a warm, comforting meal - but we have it easy when tomatoes taste this good. They are the undeniable star of the show. This simple salad - my all-time favourite - is made nestling milky buffalo mozarella with thin, meaty tomato slices. These gorgeous, uneven gems were purchased from the farmers' market a Liberty Village and surely didn't disappoint. I added some fresh basil leaves (picked from our very own urban garden/balcony!) and a few salty, cured olives. I really can't think of a better summer lunch and I know I will be eying this photo with envy in a few weeks from now.

Caprese Salad
2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
1/2 buffalo mozarella ball, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked pepper
2 tbsp olives
A small handful of fresh basil leaves

Arrange the tomatoes and mozarella in a platter. Season with oil, salt and pepper. Garnish with olives and basil.Enjoy!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, caprese salad. Always a favorite!

Chocolate Shavings said...

yummychunklet: Agreed!

Spicegirlfla said...

It doesn't matter how many times I see a caprese salad, I'm always excited! Just a perfect favorite summertime salad, simply classy!

Suzanne Perazzini said...

There are quite a few caprese salads around the blogs at the moment and I would devour every single one.

Dining Alone said...

I would love that caprese salad and I would add a little prosciutto :)

Chocolate Shavings said...

Dining Alone: I wouldn't say no to that!

Susan said...

Wonderful treatment of a classic!

Chocolate Shavings said...

Susan: Thank you! Sometimes there's nothing better than keeping it simple.

The Cooking Actress said...

Oh I love caprese!! So summery and delicious!

Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog said...

Jenn, I have just nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award on my blog, because Chocolate Shavings is one of my favorites. If you wish to pick up the award, please come visit my blog.

Chocolate Shavings said...

Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog: Thank you for the nomination!

frost said...

that looks good.=]

kale said...

Those tomatoes are gorgeous! This is one of my favorite salads. Simple, fresh ingredients just sing!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I love caprese salad. You got such lovely tomatoes for it!

Julie said...

looks colorful & delicious!!
Thanx for dropping by my space & leaving your sweet comments:)

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