This salad is one of my top three favorite salads. I was first introduced to the Caprese Salad when my hubby and I visited Italy 13 years ago. We toured all over Italy, but spent most of our time in the Amalfi Coast where the Isle of Capri is. Hmmm, you might be thinking, isn’t your oldest son 13-years-old? Why, yes, I found out I was pregnant with my first while in Italy. Now, whenever I look at my firstborn I think of Caprese Salad, strawberry pie and Chipotle, oddly enough–but enough about that, let’s get back to this super easy and most delicious salad! Here is some history behind the Caprese Salad:

Insalata Caprese (salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad from the Italian region of Campania, made of sliced fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, seasoned with salt, and olive oil.^[1][2] In Italy, unlike most salads, it is usually served as anantipasto (starter), not a contorno (side dish).

While it’s unknown whether the salad actually originated on Capri, it became popular after being served there to the jet-setting King Farouk of Egypt during the 1950s.^[3]

 What you will need:

• Ripe tomatoes
• Fresh buffalo mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Slice the tomatoes.

• Slice the buffalo mozzarella.

• Clean and dry basil leaves.

• Layer tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

• Season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

• Enjoy!