Fresh and Easy Caprese Salad

When I opened my Kelly Bros veggie box this week, and saw the big ugly tomatoes, first thing I did was hold one to my nose....and BANG!  I was rewarded with that sumptuous aroma that only ever seems to come from homegrown tomatoes....you know that smell that makes your mouth water, and makes you want to take a bite, as if it was an apple?  This was it.  In case I didn’t love Kelly Bros already!!

In my opinion, theres only 2 things to do with amazing tomatoes....serve them on salada biscuits, or make Caprese Salad!!  So I thought I’d share this super easy, beautifully fresh and tasty salad, one I fell in love with on my first trip to Italy, in the city of Turin.


INGREDIENTS 
2 large tomatoes (beefsteak, or something equally flavoursome)

1 large ball buffalo mozzarella (or bocconcini) – you will find this in the gourmet cheese section, sold in a tub of brine or water

¼ bunch fresh basil

Good quality olive oil (basil infused is great!) for drizzling

METHOD

Thinly slice your tomatoes, and set aside.

Thinly slice your mozzarella into discs, and then cut through the centre of each disc, so that you have a pile of flat half circles.  Set aside.

Tear the leaves of your basil off the stem and set aside.

On a plate, lay down a slice of tomato, then a slice of mozzarella, then a couple of basil leaves, layered in an offset fashion so that you can see a small part of each ingredient.  Continue in this order until you have used all your ingredients. 

Drizzle your olive oil over the whole salad, and garnish with any leftover basil leaves.

Serve alone as an entree (like they do in Italy), or as a side dish.

Preparation time: 5-10 mins

Serves: 3-4 as a side dish