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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Bite-Size Insalata Caprese

    LAST UPDATED: June 10, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: July 9, 2016 By Toni Dash 42 Comments

    Bite-Size Insalata Caprese

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    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese. Collage

    Insalata Caprese is arguably one of the most recognized seasonal salads featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper. The only way I could imagine improving on this simple,  mouthwatering classic is to make it bite-size! Bite-size Insalata Caprese uses summer’s sweet cherry and pear tomatoes along with the traditional ingredients in mini size for an easy to prepare salad all will love!

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    Bite-size Insalata Caprese on pewter plates

    I now do not recall my first introduction to Insalata Caprese but it was love at first bite for me.  A simple, fresh salad of Italian origin made only of tomatoes (usually slices), freshly made mozzarella cheese (which if you have not had, do not confuse it with processed mozzarella; totally different animal), fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. 

    Mini mozzarella balls in water

    bowl of mixed cherry tomatoes

    Basil garden and in jar

    If ordering it at a restaurant anywhere in the world you’d expect a plate of several individually architected ‘bites’ (really larger than one bite) of a tomato slice, a thick slice of mozzarella matching the tomato slice in size, a basil leaf and drizzle of olive oil that slinks underneath the tomato providing a kiss of oil to both sides of the salad.

    mozzarella balls and making capers salad

    Insalata Caprese (literally translated from Italian as the ‘salad of Capri), is crafted to bear resemblance in color to the Italian flag in red, green and white. You’ll find it to be a staple on the starter menu for most Italian restaurants. It is served commonly as an appetizer versus a side dish.

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese.

    To me this is really the only time of year to make this salad. To enjoy it in its highest and most flavorful form, it requires the vine ripened tomatoes and fresh garden basil.  Its simplicity is certainly part of the salad’s charm, as well as being able to be whipped up in less than 10 minutes.

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese with ingredients

    With the varieties of cherry and pear tomatoes available, it’s easy to make a colorful version of Bite-Size Insalate Caprese to entice the eyes as well as the palate. The intense sweetness of the tomatoes will surely make a tomato-lover out of the most reluctant of eaters too!

    ingredients for Bite-size Insalata Caprese.

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese and mozzarella balls

    With tomatoes harvesting well into early fall this salad brings the celebration of summer into busy weeknight meals thanks to it’s speedy preparation, as well as makes it a candidate for lunch boxes when kids head back to school. Having everything in mini size is fun for kids and in my experience, intriguing to their lunch table crew too. I’ve had multiple emails about this being in my kid’s lunchboxes from other moms wanting the recipe (pin it here to save for fall!).

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese.On plate and in bowl

     Bite-size Insalata Caprese. in a bowl
     
    Bite-size Insalata Caprese on pewter plates

    Bite-Size Insalata Caprese

    In the traditional Caprese salad (the bigger version) red tomatoes are used exclusively. There are so many varieties of cherry tomatoes it would be a shame to discriminate and lose the beautiful color and flavor in this version. I used a mix from a local farm that contained red cherry tomatoes, yellow pear, orange and a purple/black variety. Fresh garden basil makes this a full celebration of summer for me.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 6 1/2-cup servings (3 cups salad)
    Calories: 28kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    • 1 pint of Cherry Tomatoes (preferably mixed varieties), rinsed and de-stemmed
    • 1-8 ounce container of fresh Ciliegine Mozzarella in water (cherry sized), drained*
    • 6 large fresh Basil Leaves , hand torn into small pieces
    • Olive oil to drizzle (1-2 tablespoons)
    • Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl place tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil.
    • Drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.
    • Gently toss the salad to fully coat. Serve at room temperature to enjoy the fullest flavor.

    Notes

    *Unless you have a fresh source for the mozzarella you can find it in the cheese or dairy section in your grocery store in a plastic tub filled with water. If you are unable to find the cherry size, you can always substitute regular fresh mozzarella and cut it into bite sized pieces to match the volume of the tomatoes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    mixed Cherry tomatoes

    This delicious recipe was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated in 2016.
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Theresa says

      September 07, 2017 at 9:38 am

      5 stars
      Can’t wait to make this!

      Reply
    2. Latoicha says

      July 19, 2016 at 8:07 am

      I love caprese salad! it is one of my favorites. Now I can make it at home. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Colleen Lanin says

      July 13, 2016 at 8:16 am

      Such a beautiful and easy salad!

      Reply
    4. Nicole Escat says

      July 13, 2016 at 2:36 am

      I love the colors. I love eating salad too, I can’t believe you can incorporate your country’s colors to it.

      Reply
    5. Coolchillmom says

      July 12, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      There really is nothing like a fresh Insalata Capresse. It complements just about any main dish

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        July 12, 2016 at 5:59 pm

        I agree completely, especially during the summer!

        Reply
    6. Toni says

      July 12, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      This looks so good! it would be great for an easy lunch or a side dish for dinner.

      Reply
    7. Seattle Travel Blogger says

      July 12, 2016 at 6:18 am

      We were just talking about Caprese Salads the other day.
      This one looks great – I plan to share this with my dad, as he has been on a diet that reduces gluten and sugar.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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