How can I make a delicious Caprese salad?

Question

I like this salad in restorants, but when I tried to make it, it was disgusting - no flavor and I almost choked on the stench of basil (probably put too much of it). What are the right propostions of ingredients and what is the best dressing for this salad? (I used plain extra virgin olive oil).

Answer 1

Caprese Salad - Insalata Caprese

A web-exclusive recipe from Italian Cooking and Living


4 vine ripened tomatoes, sliced
1 pound mozzarella di bufala, sliced
1/2 cup basil leaves
salt and pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Place three slices of tomato topped with one basil leaf and one slice of mozzarella each on individual plates. Sprinkle with salad with salt and pepper, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Serves 4

Answer 2

Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese)

1 Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
1 large beef tomato or 4 plum tomatoes
2 stems of fresh basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste

1. If the cheese has been refrigerated, remove it and bring it to room temperature several hours before serving.
Wash and slice the tomato. Wash the basil and remove the leaves from the stems. Slice the Mozzarella di Bufala.

2. Arrange a slice of tomato, then a slice of mozzarella, overlapping them on an oval or round serving dish. Drizzle the olive oil, sprinkle some salt, garnish with the basil leaves.

Answer 3

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_17420,00.html

this is from the food network from Rachael Ray...


Caprese Salad
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Ingredients
3 vine-ripe tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices
1 pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices
20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Coarse salt and pepper

Directions
Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf
between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season
with salt and pepper, to taste.




1
Copyright 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved

Answer 4

First, and you did this, make sure that you use a very good grade of olive oil. Extra virgin or extra extra virgin have the most flavor.

Second, use fresh tomatoes and basil.

Third, sprinkle a little bit of salt over the salad before you add the oil. Salt is very important in salads since it pulls out the natural juices and flavors (osmosis).

Answer 5

Caprese is mainly mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, olive oil and vinegar. Start with good quality cheese and fresh tomatoes. You do not have to put to much basil. The olive oil and vinegar to taste. The rest if up to you. Some add olives. It is up to you.

Answer 6

I usually just put a leaf of basil right on top of every slice of tomato. A balsamic vinegrette is the most commonly used dressing. The most important part, I think, is getting good tomatoes. I nice ripe heirloom tomato is best.

Answer 7

go to food.com