I have pretty much killed every plant I have ever bought but the one thing I can grow is fresh hearty herbs. There are two things I love in the summer ..#1 fresh mint in my Iced Tea and #2 Fresh Basil for a caprese salad. That is my idea of living! If you have never had a Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze you don’t know what you are missing . This salad is very simple to make but it is also beautiful and impressive to serve. This salad can be assembled ahead of time and then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze right before serving.
What is needed to make a Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
- Fresh ripe tomatoes , if they can be bought at a local farmers market they are even better
- A few fist fulls of fresh basil
- Sliced fresh mozzarella
- Olive Oil
- Fresh cracked pepper and sea salt
- Balsamic Glaze
This is my basil I have been growing. All I do is water it everyday and make sure it gets plenty of sun and BAM a big beautiful fragrant bush of basil leaves. Just the smell of fresh basil makes my mouth water, LOL.
You can buy balsamic glaze already made but it can be a bit pricey, I always make my own. It’s not hard but just takes a little time and ventilation. One cup of balsamic vinegar to one tablespoon of sugar should reduce down to about a 1/3 of a cup of glaze. This is super easy to make just add one tablespoon of sugar to one cup of vinegar and bring to a boil than reduce to a simmer. Make sure your vent hood is on and you have plenty of ventilation. This glaze will reduce by a little more than half and should coat a spoon. Let the glaze cool completely before using and it will thicken even more when it is cool.
This can be plated for a crowd or individuals. Layer sliced tomatoes and sliced fresh mozzarella .The Basil can be left whole and wedge it between the layers or sliced . Right before serving salt and pepper it then drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Trust me you will be in love with this simple salad.
Enjoy!!
If you like this summer recipe check these out:
Fresh peach pie and Mango Black Bean Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 Large Vine Ripe Tomatoes
- A few fist fulls of Fresh Basil
- Sliced Fresh Mozzarella
- Sea Salt and Freshly cracked pepper
- 1-2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- Make sure you have good ventilation , turn on your vent hood and bring the mixture up to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and lower it to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes .
- The glaze should coat a back of a spoon when reduced enough and it should be approximately 1/3 of a cup.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely , it will thicken more as it cools
- Slice Tomatoes in about 1/4 inch thick slices and slice about the same thickness if not sliced in the package
- Either on individual plate or on a platter layer tomatoes and cheese
- I place whole basil leaves between the cheese and tomatoes , the basil can be sliced or sliced julienne
- Right sprinkle sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
- Drizzle olive oil lightly to taste
- Drizzle balsamic glaze to lightly to taste
That looks really good. I’ve never seen caprese salad done quite like this before.
Thanks Ben .. it taste as good as it looks.
Super delicious glaze to this salad. I love the flavor and I love that this salad has so much of Cheese, which is my favorite too.
The glaze is fabulous !
Caprese salad is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. Love that you added instructions for a balsamic glaze too…it’s useful in so many dishes!
Is making balsamic glaze so easy? No way! It is indeed the perfect condiment to caprese salad. Love how you plated it, I can almost smell the basil leaves, they are so vibrant!
It’s so easy!
This recipe takes me back to Taormina, Italy! I loved the freshness of the veggies and the acid from the balsamic glaze
My dream vacation is Italy!!
Nice to make your own balsamic glaze! It looks amazing drizzled on top of a good caprese salad!
Thank you!
Caprese salad is one of the best Italian summer recipes! Great idea to make homemade balsamic glaze. As you say ready made can be expensive!
I agree, this is fabulous for the summer.
Such a healthy and a delicious salad to make, perfect dish to prepare for Father’s Day celebration. I am sure my husband will love it.
The glaze is such much better than just drizzling on plain balsamic. Definitely worth the extra few minutes. So good!
Thanks Jen, I agree!
I am very fond of caprese but never tried it in a salad form. I am making it tonight. Will update you on how it went.