Name: Classic Caprese salad recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 450g medley cherry tomatoes; 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, thickly sliced; ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced; 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tsp balsamic vinegar; Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season; 110g tub buffalo mozzarella, drained; ½ cup basil leaves; BASIL PESTO; 2 cups basil, leaves firmly packed, roughly chopped; ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped; 40g pine nuts, toasted, cooled; 40g parmesan, finely grated; ½ clove garlic, finely grated; 120ml extra virgin olive oil; Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season

Freshen up your salad old-timers with a tweak or two to surprise your tastebuds and delight guests.

This Caprese salad recipe includes a delicious basil pesto as the dressing. While it’s not 100% traditional, it’s 100% delicious!

Ingredients

450g medley cherry tomatoes

2 vine-ripened tomatoes, thickly sliced

¼ red onion, very thinly sliced

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season

110g tub buffalo mozzarella, drained

½ cup basil leaves

BASIL PESTO

2 cups basil, leaves firmly packed, roughly chopped

¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped

40g pine nuts, toasted, cooled

40g parmesan, finely grated

½ clove garlic, finely grated

120ml extra virgin olive oil

Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season

Method

Quarter large cherry tomatoes and cut medium-sized cherry tomatoes in half, leaving remaining small cherry tomatoes whole. Transfer to a large bowl.

Add vine-ripened tomatoes, onion, oil and vinegar, then season. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow flavours to infuse.

Arrange tomato slices on a large platter in a single layer. Top with remaining tomato mixture, reserving bowl juices.

Tear mozzarella into small pieces and arrange on top of tomatoes and scatter with basil leaves.

Drizzle reserved bowl juices over salad.

For basil pesto, put basil, parsley, pine nuts, parmesan and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely chopped.

Add oil and pulse until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.

What is Caprese salad made of?

Caprese salad is traditionally made up of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with a dressing of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Many people tend to add other ingredients into their caprese salad, such as red onion and balsamic vinegar for a more robust salad.

Why is it called Caprese?

Caprese salad is named after the island of Capri, located off the Amalfi coast in Italy, where is believed to have originated. The most popular story of origin is it being an homage to the Italian flag colours of red, white and green.

You may also like:

Best spaghetti bolognese recipe

Caprese bites

Italian Salad Bowl with Basil Pesto

Ellie Vernon Food editor

Elle is an experienced Food Editor currently working on Australia’s most read consumer magazine, Better Homes and Gardens.

Linkedin Instagram