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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!).
Recipe
Bite-Size Insalata Caprese
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
Nutrition
Amanda Love says
I love this salad! It’s perfect for the summer because it’s easy to make and it’s light! Tomatoes make this especially refreshing as well! I like the classic combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I pretty much live on salads for summer and I will definitely make insalata caprese served a nice bottle of wine! 🙂
Toni Dash says
Yum!
Crystal says
I know you’re not a therapist or anything, but I have a relationship woe I need to get off my chest. My husband doesn’t like tomatoes. Do I think “More for me?” Or should I be really worried?
Toni Dash says
Well I feel your pain. The lack of love for tomatoes runs through the male lineage on my maternal side of the family too. And my daughter inherited it. I’m in the ‘more for me’ camp personally especially with summer vine-ripened tomatoes!
Kristi says
Love the colors, the perfect summer salad/dish and sooo good for you too!
Val says
This looks really good, I haven’t tried it before, but I like tomatoes so thinking it would be a good addition to try in my home.
Toni Dash says
It is sure to become your new summer favorite Val!
Liz Mays says
Mmm, those flavors would be so nice and refreshing. This would be an amazing salad to make.
Marcie W. says
There is something about a good caprese that is just as satisfying as it is refreshing. I typically add a bit of balsamic to the mix as well.
Toni Dash says
I love balsamic in it too!
Pam says
This is one of my favorite salads. I love how refreshing it is during the summer months,
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh how yummy looking! It’s so light and fresh. What a great dish for summer.
Susan says
For some reason I can’t fathom, this sounds much nicer and tastier than the usual version. I can easily see making this and enjoying it.
Toni Dash says
I think it’s because it’s miniature! Something about tiny food LOL! Also no slicing tomatoes or mozzarella. Easy peasy.