{"id":36631,"title":"Italian Caprese Salad","description":"Caprese salads are traditionally made from fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Interestingly, these elements can be layered in turn as a symbol of the Italian flag (red tomatoes, green basil and white mozzarella)!","content":"<p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/xylfymurxq4az3wbtvldovxwllz0czyhhi6sng5zppvkk9ck.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"A traditional caprese salad with tomatoes, avocado, mozzarella and balsamic glaze.\" title=\"A traditional caprese salad with tomatoes, avocado, mozzarella and balsamic glaze.\" \/>This delicious salad is so quick and simple to make, it's perfect for entertaining. <\/p><p>Caprese salads are traditionally made from fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Interestingly, these elements can be layered in turn as a symbol of the Italian flag (red tomatoes, green basil and white mozzarella)!<\/p><p>This recipe has been tweaked slightly from the original, with the addition of avocado to give it that extra creamy richness and a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze for a hint of tangy sweetness. Feel free to leave out the avocado if preferred.<\/p><p><strong>Serving size:<\/strong> <\/p><p>Serves 2 - 4<\/p><p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p>3-4 medium ripe, good quality tomatoes (large)<\/p><\/li><li><p>1\/2 cup fresh basil leaves<\/p><\/li><li><p>400g fresh buffalo mozzarella<\/p><\/li><li><p>Balsamic glaze<\/p><\/li><li><p>Salt and pepper for seasoning<\/p><\/li><li><p>1 ripe avocado (optional)<\/p><p><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Please note<\/strong>: It's really important to use high quality tomatoes in this dish.<\/p><p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p><p>1. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella about half a cm thick each.<\/p><p>2. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter in an alternating pattern.<\/p><p>3. Chop up the avocado into cubes and scatter around the platter.<\/p><p>4. Top with basil leaves.<\/p><p>5. Season with flaky salt and black pepper, to taste.<\/p><p>6. Finally, drizzle with balsamic glaze.<\/p><p style=\"text-align:center;\"><strong>Serve immediately and enjoy!<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>\ud83d\udca1Behind the recipe <\/strong>by Co-Founder Emma<\/p><p>This salad represents more to me than just a delicious side dish. It represents the rekindling of an old friendship, one I was sure was lost. I met my best friend when I lived in Maputo, Mozambique at the age of 12. We were utterly inseparable, and spent pretty much every single day together for two years.<\/p><p>Sadly, as is the life of a TCK, I moved to Lesotho and had to say goodbye. We kept in touch (not as easy back in the day before social media!) and I visited her often, in Mozambique and then South Africa when she eventually moved back home. <br \/><br \/>At the age of 18, I returned to the UK and we tried to stay in touch but it became increasingly difficult over time. Fast forward to 10 years later, she moved to the UK for work and it honestly felt like nothing had changed, we fell back into that same old routine as if no time had passed at all. This salad was part of one of the first meals she cooked for me, and I loved it so much that it became a regular dish in my kitchen.<\/p><p>An amazing cook, inspired by her Italian mother and Portuguese father, my best friend deserves all the credit for this recipe. Thanks Jan!<\/p>","urlTitle":"italian-caprese-salad","url":"\/blog\/italian-caprese-salad\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/italian-caprese-salad\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/that-third-culture-life.teemill.com\/blog\/italian-caprese-salad\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1708099707,"updatedAt":1708100328,"publishedAt":1708100328,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":88263,"name":"That Third Culture Life"},"tags":[{"id":3136,"code":"recipes","name":"Recipes","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/recipes\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8ctoltzt6xgllxdd3ef6evuwal3bu3givz9nrrvj1zqvukpt.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8ctoltzt6xgllxdd3ef6evuwal3bu3givz9nrrvj1zqvukpt.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8ctoltzt6xgllxdd3ef6evuwal3bu3givz9nrrvj1zqvukpt.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Caprese Salad | That Third Culture Life","metaDescription":"","series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":36481,"title":"Authentic Italian Lasange","url":"\/blog\/authentic-italian-lasange\/","urlTitle":"authentic-italian-lasange","division":88263,"description":"This lasagne was a special treat in the Recalde household.  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