Italian Summer Favorite: Insalata Caprese

Some of the tastes I associate with summer are fresh tomatoes and basil that were grown in my backyard.  I have so many great memories of helping my family and loved ones prepare insalata caprese by going outside to pick some fresh, red tomatoes and basil leaves. This is a simple, healthy, and delicious dish to enjoy!

Insalata Caprese 

This is an Italian dish that is typically served as an antipasto, which means "before the meal".  Insalata Caprese is a traditional Neapolitan dish that takes its name from its place of origin, the island of Capri.

The key to this dish is fresh ingredients:

Tomatoes  (pomodoro) 

Fresh mozzarella  (mozzarella di bufala or mozzarella fior di latte)

Basil leaves (basilico)

Extra virgin olive oil (oli di oliva extravergini)

Salt (sale)

Pepper (pepe)

Cut the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into slices.  Layer the mozzarella on top of the tomato slice, top it off with a basil leaf, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

My Italian teacher taught me that the best Italian dishes have all three colors of Italy's flag (bandiera d'Italia).  Italy's flag has also been called the il Tricolore (the three colors) and another name for Insalata Caprese is Insalata Tricolore.  

Buon Appetito!