Caprese is a popular Italian appetizer (sometimes called salad). It can be easily prepared at home. Caprese, whose recipe is very simple, is not only tasty, but also a healthy salad. The dish includes fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil. Dressed with olive oil. The appetizer is called "caprese" in honor of the Italian island of Capri, located on one of the shores of the Gulf of Naples. The color scheme of the finished dish echoes the Italian flag, so caprese is rightfully considered the national dish of Italy.
Traditional Caprese with Mozzarella
Since cooking is developing rapidly and each culinary brings something different to traditional dishes, today there are a lot of recipes for caprese. The main requirement for the ingredients is of Italian origin. If you have everything you need for cooking, you will need literally five minutes to finish the job.
According to the traditional recipe, to create an appetizer, you need to cut the mozzarella cheese and tomatoes into slices and lay them out alternately, supplementing with basil leaves and pouring it all with olive oil. The traditional recipe involves the use of Bull Heart tomatoes, which are grown near the island of Capri near the volcano Vesuvius. Cheese is better to take the most ordinary, classic of the indicated variety. For a traditional caprese with mozzarella, you need an original product made from Italian buffalo milk. Olive oil, in turn, must be produced using cold-pressed technology. The order and method of laying out the above products is chosen by the cook individually. The easiest option is to mix everything in a salad bowl.
Caprese salad: photo options
We suggest you take a look at a few photos that depict a caprese appetizer with mozzarella. Here you can see the classic version of the placement of products - in a circle with alternating cheese and tomatoes and decorating them with basil.
Another option is to mix all the ingredients together. He saves time. So caprese with mozzarella can be prepared in large quantities for a large family.
Increasingly, you can see the caprese option in the form of canapes. It is popular at various kinds of banquets and holidays, where a large number of people should try the dish.
Caprese with mozzarella: how to supplement?
Of course, experimenting is not prohibited. In addition to basil, you can add olives or oregano. Very often, culinary specialists include balsamic vinegar in their snacks. Some recipes use extra cheeses. Interestingly, if you put the ingredients on the dough and add a little grated hard cheese, you will get the most ordinary Magragita pizza - another traditional Italian dish.
Note that even the classic version of caprese with mozzarella is very useful for the human body. Tomatoes contain carotene, which is better absorbed with cheese rich in fats. In addition, according to popular belief, they are able to prevent the development of oncological diseases.