Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes

Originally from the beautiful island of Capri, the caprese salad is a summer dish like few others. A recipe that is a true gastronomic symbol of Italy, which with the combination of its three main ingredients pays a clear tribute to the colors of its flag: the red of the tomato, the white of the mozzarella and the green of the fresh basil.

Although we know where it was born, the reason for its appearance is somewhat more uncertain, since it could well be to promote vegetarian recipes, such as to reduce the intake of pasta. Whatever it is, the important thing is that someone had the brilliant idea of ​​combining slices of mozzarella and tomato with basil leaves, resulting in one of the freshest, most aromatic and simple salads that we can taste.

From these three ingredients, which are seasoned with oregano, olive oil and a little salt, the preparation and presentation possibilities are innumerable. And since you already know that I love to combine flavors, today we are going to give this delicious salad a spin that we will make with cherry tomatoes (of different varieties, to give the dish more color), adding one more ingredient that is at its best, such as is the nectarine, and changing the traditional dressing for a Modena vinaigrette and honey. Do you want to try it? Well, let's go with the recipe!

Ingredients for 2 people

For the caprese salad:

• 200 g of cherry tomatoes of different varieties and colors
• 125 g fresh mozzarella (one large ball)
• 1 nectarine (or 2 if they are small)
• Fresh basil to taste (we will need only the leaves)

For the Modena and honey vinaigrette:

• 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of Modena vinegar
• 2 dessert spoons of honey
• a pinch of salt
• A pinch of freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Preparation

1. Drain the mozzarella while you wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Place them on the plate or on the tray so that the colors alternate, to make it more attractive.
2. Peel the nectarine and cut it into cubes similar in size to the tomatoes. Arrange the pieces on the plate, dividing them among the tomatoes.
3. Chop the mozzarella and place it on top of the tomatoes. You can do it with a knife or by crumbling it with your fingers, as if you were pinching it.
4. Do the same with the clean and dry basil leaves, sprinkling it on top of the rest of the salad ingredients.
5. Prepare the vinaigrette by mixing all the ingredients and stirring well to emulsify them. You can use Tellier's Emulsifying and Whipping Spoon , also called the "Magic Spoon" because of how well it works!
6. Dress the salad with the vinaigrette before serving or present the caprese accompanied by the sauce, to do it to taste at the table.

As you can see, it is a simple salad that you will have ready in no time and that you can dress with this vinaigrette or with any of the ones that I have shared with you in previous recipes, such as the one with orange and pecans, which you will find here , or this other one of Modena and honey with a touch of mustard, which you have here .