Caprese Salad

This is my most favorite summer salad.  I've posted a variety of these salads through the years, but each one I make is slightly different and I always want to share them with all of you.

You can make a small serving or slice as many tomatoes as you like and have a huge platter for serving a crowd.

Use the ripest tomatoes you can find, along with a fresh and firm mozzarella.  You can purchase large rounds of mozzarella that are already sliced which makes assembling these salads a breeze!

One of the main reasons I plant numerous basil plants each summer is to have plenty of these gorgeous leaves to nestle in-between the tomato and cheese slices.

I sliced two large tomatoes and used the same amount of mozzarella slices.  

As you can see, I alternated the tomato slices and cheese slices.  After I got everything plated, I ground sea salt and black pepper evenly over the top.  Then it was time to place those fresh basil leaves over, under, and around the salad.

To quote Ina, I then drizzled on some "really good" olive oil and then topped with a purchased balsamic glaze.

A beautiful presentation for family and friends, plus a fresh and healthy salad, is perfection for hot summer days.