Here’s a simple and classic recipe for Caprese salad for those people that have some great tomatoes and basil growing in their garden. If you don’t have a garden just pick these ingredients up from your local farmers market. 

Ingredients:

              4 ripe tomatoes, sliced

              1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced

              Fresh basil leaves

              Extra virgin olive oil

              Balsamic vinegar (optional but worth it)

              Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

        1.      Arrange the Tomatoes and Mozzarella: On a large plate or platter, alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella. You can either create a circular pattern or a straight line, depending on your presentation preference. I chose to go with simple rows on a square plate.

        2.      Add the Basil: Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices. You can also scatter some basil leaves on top for extra flavor and decoration.

        3.      Drizzle with Olive Oil (Make sure it gets in between the cheese and tomato for that extra flavor.

        4.      Season: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salad. The salt will really bring out the flavor in the tomatoes.

        5.      Add Balsamic Vinegar (Optional): If desired,(trust me it is worth it) drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar over the top for added flavor.

        6.      Serve Immediately: Serve the Caprese Salad immediately at room temperature to enjoy the fresh flavors.

Enjoy!