Fresh Caprese Salad

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 0 mins (no cooking, yay!)

Servings: 4

Category: Lunch

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh tomatoes (heirloom or cherry—whatever’s ripest!)
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella (the soft, creamy kind)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves (straight from the garden if you can)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (the good, peppery stuff)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or a fancy glaze if you’ve got it)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (just a pinch!)
  • Optional: a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (feels so fancy)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 220
Total Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Carbohydrates: 6g
Sugars: 4g
Protein: 10g

Instructions

  1. Let’s whip up something fresh and easy! Grab your tomatoes—if they’re big, slice ‘em into thick rounds; if they’re cherry, just halve ‘em. Either way, they’re the star of the show!
  2. Slice the mozzarella into rounds about the same thickness as the tomatoes. It’s so soft and creamy—don’t you just love that first cut?
  3. Pick those basil leaves—give ‘em a gentle rinse if they’re dusty. You can leave ‘em whole or tear ‘em a little for that rustic vibe. Smells like summer, doesn’t it?
  4. Time to assemble! On a big platter, layer the tomato slices and mozzarella—alternate ‘em so it looks all pretty. Tuck the basil leaves in between or scatter ‘em on top—whatever feels right!
  5. Drizzle the olive oil over everything—let it glisten! Then splash on the balsamic vinegar—it’s like a little sweet-tart hug for the whole dish.
  6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper—just enough to wake up the flavors. If you’ve got flaky sea salt, a tiny pinch makes it feel extra special.
  7. That’s it—serve it up fresh! Pair it with some crusty bread to soak up the juices, or just grab a fork and dive in. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s everything good—enjoy every bite!