Tomato-Mozzarella is a summer staple at our house, often appearing on the table almost every day. Whether as a refreshing appetizer or a tasty side dish, the combination of mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar never fails to delight. In this easy-to-follow recipe, I’ll show you how to perfectly assemble and serve Tomato-Mozzarella for a delicious and satisfying experience.
Ingredients for My Tomato-Mozzarella Salad
Mild mozzarella paired with juicy tomatoes and fresh basil is a true delight. While the recipe requires only a few ingredients, it’s essential to choose high-quality ones, as they significantly impact the flavour and aroma. That’s why I love making these delicious appetisers in the summer when aromatic tomatoes are in season. Here’s what you’ll need:
Tomatoes: Ripe vine tomatoes are ideal for this recipe. They offer a wonderful, aromatic flavour and are a good size for this dish.
Mozzarella: Buffalo mozzarella adds a rich taste and delightful texture. However, you can also use cow’s milk mozzarella if you prefer.
Basil: Fresh basil is a must for this recipe. You’ll need the leaves for garnishing.
Olive Oil: I use a mild olive oil, but if you prefer a more intense flavour, feel free to choose a robust variety.
Aceto Balsamico: The sweet and tangy taste of balsamic vinegar complements mozzarella and tomatoes beautifully. A tip: the older or longer-aged the balsamic vinegar, the sweeter it becomes.
Sea Salt and Pepper: To finish off the dish, a touch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper will enhance the flavours.
Additionally, you can use tomato and mozzarella to stuff bread, transforming it into a delicious fan baguette—something you definitely need to try!
How to Prepare Tomato-Mozzarella Quickly and Easily
Tomato and mozzarella is perhaps the simplest yet most delicious appetisers or side dish. It’s incredibly easy to make and ready in no time. You’ll find the exact quantities in the recipe card below, but here are the basic steps to get you started:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. I prefer the cheese sliced very thinly for a delicate taste. Remove the basil leaves from the stems.
- Arrange the Tomato-Mozzarella: I like to arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter or a round plate, alternating them for a visually appealing presentation.
- Garnish with Basil: Scatter the basil leaves on top or place them between the slices, depending on your preference.
By the way, the combination of tomato and mozzarella is a classic Italian dish known as “Caprese.” We love serving this appetiser with fresh ciabatta, and my homemade herb baguette pairs perfectly with it as well. Enjoy!
Arranging Tomato-Mozzarella
Traditionally, tomato and mozzarella slices are arranged alternately on a plate, with each slice slightly overlapping the next for a visually appealing presentation. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil and balsamic vinegar over all the slices so that they are lightly coated. Finally, season with salt and pepper, and top with fresh basil leaves.
If you enjoy this combination of ingredients as much as I do, you should definitely try my Caprese-style pasta salad as well.
Have fun recreating this dish! I hope you find my recipe as delicious as I do. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments.