Caprese Salad

Name: Insalata Caprese
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 porzioni
Cuisine: Italiana
Ingredients: 4 pomodori maturi (cuore di bue o San Marzano freschi); 300 g di mozzarella di bufala campana DOP; Basilico fresco; Olio extravergine di qualità; Sale marino

Insalata Caprese

Traditional recipe

Ripe tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and basil with extra virgin olive oil: the colors of Italy, the taste of the Mediterranean.

10 min

4 servings

Easy

Campania

EasyCampania

Caprese salad takes its name from the island of Capri, where it has been prepared since the late 19th century. It's one of the world's most iconic Italian dishes, spread to every corner of the planet in more or less authentic versions. Simplicity is its strength and weakness: without top-quality ingredients, it's nothing. With ripe wild tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and fragrant basil, it's unbeatable. The dish's colors—red, white, and green—are those of the Italian flag: it's no coincidence that it has become the national dish par excellence.

Instructions

Voice reading

3 steps · natural Italian voice

Prepare tomatoes and mozzarella

Using a sharp knife, slice the tomatoes into approximately 1 cm (0.39 in) thick slices. Drain the buffalo mozzarella and pat it dry, then slice it into approximately 1 cm (0.39 in) thick slices. Let the ingredients sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes: the pulp should be fragrant and the mozzarella soft.

Assemble in layers

Arrange the slices, alternating tomato and mozzarella, in a harmonious sequence on a plate. Place hand-torn basil leaves between the slices to release the essential oils, and carefully space them so that the red, white, and green colors are crisp and inviting.

Season and serve

Salt lightly season at the last moment with flaked or fine sea salt; pour raw, off the heat Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and distribute it using circular motions. Make sure the oil adds fruity notes without overpowering them. Serve immediately at room temperature.

Chef's Tips

Tomatoes must be ripe, flavorful, and at room temperature; cold ones from the refrigerator lack flavor. DOP buffalo mozzarella from Campania is irreplaceable: its fresh milk flavor and creaminess are unmatched. Don't add balsamic vinegar; it's untraditional and covers the delicate flavor of the buffalo mozzarella.