What sets apart this Caprese Salad from others is its unique approach. Instead of the typical dressing choices, it’s elevated by starting with a simple garlic-herb vinaigrette for a delightful infusion of flavors. The final touch involves a skillful drizzle of balsamic, not only enhancing the taste but also creating the distinctive visual appeal that’s sure to impress. The result is not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious.
Caprese Salad shines whether it’s shared as a wonderful side dish, enjoyed as a light meal alongside crusty bread, or even heaped onto toast with creamy smashed avocado. Its freshness and delightful combination of flavors are universally appealing. While the idea of a Caprese Salad is beloved, it often falls short—either lacking in taste due to a mere coating of olive oil, or appearing unappetizing due to balsamic dressing turning the mozzarella an unsightly brown. That’s why I’ve taken a different approach, opting for a flavorful vinaigrette as the primary dressing and reserving the balsamic glaze for a final, tasteful flourish just before serving.
Dressing for Caprese Salad
The commonly associated dressing for Caprese Salad is the balsamic glaze, also recognized as balsamic reduction. This glaze boasts a rich sweet-tangy profile, necessitating a sparing application—a mere drizzle—lest it overpower the salad’s delicate balance.
Consequently, a secondary dressing becomes essential to infuse the Caprese Salad with more pronounced flavors. While numerous recipes settle for plain olive oil, my preference lies in a straightforward garlic-herb vinaigrette. This choice not only imparts enhanced taste but also introduces an appealing visual dimension through the inclusion of herb specks. Moreover, it aligns with a healthier approach due to its lower oil content.
Although crafting a balsamic reduction is relatively uncomplicated (as detailed in the provided recipe), I’ve opted for a store-bought version in this instance. This convenience is reasonably priced, and notably, it boasts an extended shelf life spanning years.
What cheese? FRESH Mozzarella / Bocconcini
Caprese Salad features the use of fresh mozzarella cheese, which distinguishes it from the kind of mozzarella that’s grated and sprinkled for baking and melting purposes.
Fresh mozzarella exhibits a soft, non-salty nature, setting it apart from the characteristics of most other cheeses. Its flavor profile bears resemblance to ricotta, although its texture deviates.
For this specific culinary creation, I’ve incorporated baby mozzarella, often referred to as cherry mozzarella or bocconcini. These are petite, round balls of fresh mozzarella. My preference leans towards these smaller variations due to their similarity in size to the cherry tomatoes within the salad.
How to serve Caprese Salad
I’ve prepared this Caprese Salad with the intention of it being shared as a communal side dish, veering away from the conventional presentation as a standalone starter found in restaurants.
However, let’s not limit our perspective to just a side salad! I derive immense pleasure from savoring Caprese Salad as a refreshing no-cook meal, particularly during the warmer months. The presence of bocconcini adds a substantial element, especially when paired with a hearty crusty roll on the side, rendering it remarkably gratifying as a complete meal.
Nevertheless, my ultimate preferred approach to presenting this Caprese Salad involves transforming it into delectable bruschetta atop toasted sourdough. By adorning smashed avocado onto the toasted sourdough and then generously piling the Caprese Salad on top, a marvelous culinary experience emerges—ideal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The result is genuinely sensational!
