Savor the Summer with Caprese Inspired Dishes
The sad, mealy, so-called tomatoes we choke down in the off-season pale in comparison to a fresh, juicy, in-season tomato. The two simply do not compare beyond a mere resemblance. Ripe tomatoes from my mother’s garden are one of my childhood pastimes and an annual marker of summer. No matter how hot the weather, it just doesn’t quite feel like summer until I bite into that first summer tomato and revel in the superior taste and texture that is as fleeting as the summer itself. I just enjoyed my first tomato of the season this past weekend. It was a Pink Brandywine Heirloom and it was spectacular and juicy and everything it should be. I’m eagerly anticipating the bounty to follow!
The classic Caprese salad (or Insalata Caprese, meaning “Salad of Capri” in Italian) is an exceptional way to highlight a good tomato. A simple mixture of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, salt and olive oil, the Caprese is colorful, full flavored, and requires no real recipe. Just add each ingredient to your desired taste and you are ready to enjoy. Beyond the classic Caprese salad, the quintessential combination of tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella is always delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes that embrace the beauty of a summer tomato.
Branch out beyond the basic Caprese with these recipe ideas:
Caprese Pasta Salad
Bruschetta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Laura Werlin – Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Basil, and Tomato Mac and Cheese
Port and Fin Blistered – Caprese Pizza with Garlic Scape Pesto
Sweet Peas and Saffron – Grilled Caprese Zucchini Roll Ups
How Sweet Eats – Strawberry Caprese with Pistachio Pesto
Love & Olive Oil – Blueberry Caprese Salad
Oh My Veggies – Grilled Caprese Naan Pizza
Sweet Sugar Bean – Tomato Basil Salad with White Beans & Bocconcini
Half Baked Harvest – Caprese Quinoa Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms with Balsamic Glaze
Southern Boy Dishes – Farro Caprese Salad
How Sweet Eats – Roasted Tomato Caprese Panzanella
Tablespoon – Hasselback Tomato Caprese
Domesticate Me – Caprese Quinoa Bake
Simply Delicious – Caprese Tart with Roasted Tomatoes
Feasting At Home – Grilled Caprese Sandwich with Arugula Pesto
How Sweet Eats – Honey Grilled Watermelon Caprese Salads
Two Peas and Their Pod – Caprese Garlic Bread
Inspired Taste – Stacked Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Salad
Yes, More Please! – Caprese Tomato Spinach Soup
Gastronomer’s Guide – Grilled Pizzas with Pesto, Tomatoes, and Mozzarella
Experiment with tomato varieties in Caprese themed recipes for different flavors and textures: add small bursts of excitement with cherry or grape tomatoes or explore the different tastes and textures of the various heirlooms. Miyoko’s Kitchen makes a delicious vegan mozzarella (available at the Co-op in the cooler next to the other cheese alternatives), so there’s no need to miss out on the Caprese action if you’re vegan, dairy-free, or lactose-intolerant.