Can you save leftover caprese?

Yes! As long as you are within the FDA guidelines you can save the leftovers. While the balsamic reduction will soak into the mozzarella cheese and not look as appetizing, it is still delicious. It is also great diced up and added to hot pasta!

What are the best tomatoes for caprese?

Any fresh picked, tomato, in season, is always THE BEST! NOTE: This was also one of our most requested dishes at the catering company in the winter, especially during the holidays, the colors, the freshness, the flavors. Even when made with hot house tomatoes, it is still good!

Caprese Platter - Appetizer Bliss

Description

This easy caprese platter is always a hit. Plus a great way to use fresh tomatoes and basil! A perfect summer appetizer or salad.

Ingredients

Scale

3-4 fresh tomatoes
1 pound fresh mozzarella log (sliced or whole)
24 fresh basil, large, whole leaves
1-2 Tablespoon balsamic reduction
1 baguette, sliced (should have 24-32 slices)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Slice the tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick. Cut at least 24 slices. If tomatoes are large, cut each slice in half. If the tomatoes are cut in half, also cut the mozzarella slices in half.
If the mozzarella log is not sliced, slice the cheese into 24 slices. If it is pre-sliced there will probably be 16 thick slices. If the slices are too thick, carefully cut them through the slice to make them thinner or cut each slice in half across the middle so you have two half circles.

PLATING - There are so many ways to plate this. This is one of our favorite.

Place a tomato slice on the platter. Place a mozzarella slice partly overlapping the tomato. Place a basil leaf on the mozzarella with the tip over the top of the cheese.
Place a tomato slice on top of the basil leaf and repeat the process with cheese and basil until it is all plated. You can do this in a single row, multiple rows, spiral, any pattern you like.
Drizzle balsamic reduction over the top and serve with baguette slices on the side.

Notes

Mozzarella. We like using unsliced mozzarella so you can slice it the thickness you want. We find the pre-sliced is sometimes too thick. If it is too thick, carefully slice through the slice to make two thinner slices, or cut in half.

Serving. This can be served as an appetizer with sliced bread or crostini. It can also be served as a side dish or as a salad.

Riffs. Add some marinated veggies to the platter (artichoke hearts, beans, carrots). If keeping this dish vegetarian is not necessary, add some meats (salami, soppressata, prosciutto), fold in quarters and scatter among the tomatoes and mozzarella.

Prep Time: 4 minutes
Assembly Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Category: Appetizer
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tomato mozzarella piece
Calories: 123
Sugar: 1.8 g
Sodium: 350.2 mg
Fat: 0.7 g
Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
Protein: 9.9 g
Cholesterol: 3.4 mg