The Authentic way of course is to use fresh buffalo milk mozzarella when possible for the best results.
Our favorite salad is made with tomatoes from the garden in the summertime but during the winter and Christmas holidays this Caprese salad is a must make for our tables in either a wreath form or candy cane sometimes even both!
Of course, you can get creative and make any shape Caprese salad you like we love food art you and you may also like some of our other holiday ideas with our Best Christmas Holiday Season Ideas and Recipes.
If you want a healthy side dish and a festive colorful salad look no further than this wonderful combination of flavors for me it's an addiction I can eat every day all year long.
Scroll down to my printable recipe card for complete instructions.
Insalata Caprese
This salad (salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad from the Italian region of Campania, made of sliced fresh buffalo mozzarella, fresh plum tomatoes, and basil.
We prefer a good grade balsamic reduction on our Caprese salads which is 18 years aged or you can make a delicious balsamic reduction with my recipe below.
This is an all-year-round salad we never tire of, it's simple and delicious.
Other Ideas and Additions
- Optional Holiday: make this caprese salad into holiday-shaped wreaths or candy cane. Use fresh rosemary, basil for garnishing add grape tomatoes sliced around the wreath with smaller basil leaves. Buy block mozzarella and slice it then cut into shapes using appetizer cutters.
- Make threaded skewers of mozzarella balls, tomato with basil in between adding folded salami and romaine lettuce
- During a patriotic holiday make a flag using black olives for the flag side and make rows of grape tomato and mozzarella balls cut the stars out of flat white cheese with a small appetizer star cookie cutter
- Decorate a styrofoam tree with cubes of cheese, green olives, grape tomatoes, and then attach them by using toothpicks. Place rosemary and basil in between the cheese and tomatoes then drizzle with balsamic thick reduction.
Insalata Caprese Authentic Recipe Ingredients You Will Need
see below for the recipe in the printable recipe card
- fresh sliced mozzarella
- extra virgin good grade olive oil
- garlic cloves
- salt, pepper
- fresh basil leaves, fresh parsley, and oregano if you like it
- aged balsamic vinegar or my balsamic reduction recipe below
- sliced plum tomatoes
More Creative Recipes To Try
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Doll Cakes
Edible Christmas Sugar Cone Trees
Cookie Cutter Pancakes
Graham Cracker Houses
Tropical Beach Cake Spa
Tropical Beach Spa Cake
Red White and Blue Foods
Christmas Cardboard Candy House
Heart Shaped Foods
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Other Salads We Love
Oriental Chicken Salad
Greek House Dressing
Panzanella Salad
Caprese Tortellini Salad
Healthy Caprese Salad
This salad is easy to make, tastes delicious and it can turn into a creative festive platter that puts a smile on everyone's face.
If you're looking for a special holiday or everyday salad this one is very versatile, just add some of Grandma's Tuscan Garlic Bread and enjoy!
Balsamic Reduction Glaze
Yield: 1 cup
prep time: 1 Mcook time: 35 Mtotal time: 36 M
Insalata Caprese Salad is mozzarella and dressing with fresh tomatoes annd basil
ingredients:
- Insalata Caprese Authentic Recipe
- fresh buffalo mozzarella or use whole milk
- extra virgin good-grade olive oil
- garlic cloves
- salt, pepper
- fresh basil leaves, fresh parsley, and oregano if you like it
- balsamic vinegar reduction recipe below
- sliced plum tomatoes
- Balsamic Reduction
- 2 cups good quality balsamic vinegar
- Optional Holiday: make it into a wreath or candy cane shapes. Use fresh rosemary, and basil for garnishing add grape tomatoes sliced around the wreath with smaller basil leaves. Buy a flat block of whole milk mozzarella cheese and slice it thinner then cut it into shapes using assorted appetizer cutters.
instructions:
How to cook Balsamic Reduction Glaze
- Place 2 cups of good-grade balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on medium heat until it starts to boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer until the vinegar is reduced to half of the liquid.
- Stir this occasionally, and keep on very low heat.
- Cool and store in a glass mason jar for as long as 1 month.
- For the Salad:
- Arrange mozzarella around the plate, alternating with tomato slices, place fresh basil in between randomly, then drizzle with olive oil, and spices and serve with crusty Italian bread.
- Optional salad: make this the same way except with the addition of sweet cherry peppers to the middle and alternate with cucumber slices.
Calories
90
90
Fat (grams)
9
9
Sat. Fat (grams)
2
2
Sugar (grams)
-3
-3
Holiday Insalata Caprese Salad Pin for later
More Recipes We Love
Butternut Squash Salad
Watermelon Basil Salad
Avocado Chickpea Salad
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
