A quick and classic summer dish from Italy that is easy to make, refreshing, tasty, and perfectly light and satisfying is the Caprese salad. Recently, we mentioned this beloved appetiser in our post all about mozzarella. A famous product that is made in many different regions of Italy, it is an EU-protected food made using traditional recipes with slight variations in the kind that comes from each place. First developed in the South of Italy, it is thought to date back as far as the 1st century AD. The Caprese salad itself, meanwhile, is made with mozzarella as well as tomatoes, basil, and olive oil (and often balsamic vinegar) and is named for the island of Capri, from which is it thought to have originated.
As the summer continues to sizzle on, we suggest making yourself a Caprese salad with our recipe while you browse our villas in Campania and then coming and making it in its home region with the freshest and most sun-ripened ingredients from local markets for the full Campania culinary experience. A place where basic ingredients are perfectly ripe and impossibly delicious so even the simplest dishes absolutely sing with flavour, this gem of a destination is a must for foodies looking to vacation in Italy during the summer...
Here is our easy, simple Caprese salad recipe.
Ingredients:
8 ripe tomatoes (ideally purchased on holiday in Campania)
2 balls of mozzarella (ideally Campania’s local variant, the Mozzarella della mortella)
A handful of basil leaves
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar (optional)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Method:
1. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
2. Arrange the slices on a large plate/platter in an alternating pattern of each.
3. Add the basil leaves evenly over top.
4. Season with the salt and black pepper.
5. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic (if you’re adding it).
6. Best served right away.
7. Enjoy in one of our amazing villas in Campania!