Tomato Mozzarella Salad with Sticky Balsamic

Celebrate summers flavourful tomatoes with this Tomato Mozzarella Salad arranged in a spiral for a new twist on classic Caprese Salad.

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In Italy, this salad is known as “Insalata Caprese” or simply Caprese Salad traditionally it is a combination of summer tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.

Our version includes peppery rocket for a bright green pop of colour, some pesto spooned on top of ripe summer tomatoes, cute little bocconcini balls as well as a drizzle of olive oil and sticky balsamic over everything.

More on the Ingredients

The Tomatoes – I have used truss tomatoes for this salad because of their beautiful aroma and firmness. But you can also use Roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes or even Black Russians. This salad needs a firm tomato so avoid using oxheart or heirloom tomato varieties.

• The Pesto – used to add the essential note of basil to tomatoes in this salad. You can choose to make your own pesto or just buy a good quality pest from your supermarket.
• The Rocket – use baby rocket or wild roquette for its pepperiness and delicate appearance.
• The Bocconcini – baby or cherry bocconcini are small, round balls of young mozzarella cheese which add a creamy buttery taste to this salad.
• The Balsamic Glaze – adds a wonderfully sweet, sticky element to this salad. Make sure you use one with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena for an authentic Italian taste.

HOW TO MAKE IT

1Wash your rocket.
Rinse your rocket under cold running water, remove any damaged or wilted leaves. Either pat dry with a towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water.

2Cut your bocconcini and tomatoes.
Rinse your bocconcini in cold water, pat dry and then cut in half. Wash the tomatoes remove the cores and bottoms then slice into rounds.

3Putting your salad together.
Arrange the tomato slices around the edge of a round platter and drizzle them with the pesto. Place the baby rocket in the middle and arrange the baby mozzarella on top. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze on top and serve.

Tips on making this SalaD

You can cut the bocconcini in half the day before but keep it in a container with some water so that it doesn’t discolour or dry out.

You can also wash your rocket the day before making sure that it is completely dry so that it does not spoil or collect bacteria.

This salad can be made an hour or two in advance (and kept in the fridge) but no longer as the tomatoes will become too soggy.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• This salad is great as a starter for a dinner party.
• You can serve it as an appetizer for guests to help themselves at a cocktail party.
• A wonderful side salad for any meal – barbecues, roasts, casseroles and pasta dishes.
• Also a great option for lunch with some crusty ciabatta bread.

What about the leftovers?

• Store any leftovers covered in your fridge, it will still be tasty but not as “fresh” the following day. Or cut up the tomatoes and stir the salad through some warm pasta for a simple meal.
• I also like to blitz any leftovers and store them in my freezer to add to my next tomato-based sauce.

Try some more of our Tomato Salad recipes:

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