Insalata Caprese

Insalata Caprese (Salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad of sliced fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes and basil from the Italian region of Campania. It is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and olive oil. The main ingredients are similar to Pizza Margherita, but are not cooked.

Ideally, the mozzarella is di bufala campana, the olive oil is extra virgin from the peninsula of Sorrento and the tomatoes and basil are grown in the full sun of the mezzogiorno.

The dish reproduces the colours of the flag of Italy.

According to the 1997 edition of “The Joy of Cooking”[citation needed], Insalata Caprese (or Tomato and Mozzarella Salad) is prepared by arranging alternating slices of tomatoes (1/2” thick slices) and mozzarella (1/4” thick slices) on a platter, sprinkling with fresh basil leaves, drizzling with olive oil, and then seasoning with salt.