With all the heavy foods and over-abundance of sweets this holiday season I sure was craving something fresh tasting and good for you. My daughter the "live-in but temporary chef" suggested a Caprese Salad.Now this is the simplest recipe known to man (or woman). I don't know if there is even a recipe needed.
What was the new discovery???? Buffalo mozzarella!!!!!! I am sure all you foodies out there have had the privelege of having this delicate cheese. I am quite sure I have also had it before, but in the Caprese salad it was more than exceptional!! It was the texture that had me standing on my head and drooling. Even if this is the simplest recipe out there the cheese as well as the ripeness of the tomatoes can make or break this salad.
What was the second discovery this holiday season ??? Oka cheese!!!!! Very soft and luxurious cheese. Read about that in an earlier post on Cheese Fondue.
Do I have any New Year's resolutions? No...I never make any promises I can't keep. I will just keep striving to do my best and keep my head above water in 2008. If I had any resolutions at all looking at this photo it would be to eat more Caprese Salad and buffalo mozzarella.
**Caprese Salad**
3 vine-ripened tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick
1 lb buffalo mozzarella, 1/2-inch thick
handful basil leaves, chiffonade
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
***********
Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on platter. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with basil chiffonade, salt and pepper.
Serves 4Buon Appetito!!
Very nice and simple salad. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI hope that 2008 will bring you lots of nice surprises!
Happy New Year Valli :)
Margot
buffalo mozzarella, such a treat! happy new year :)
ReplyDeleteLooks good. I tried a Caprese Salad a while ago. It was my first time having the buffalo mozzarella and I was not too impressed with the cheese. I got the buffalo mozzarella from a regular grocery store and I have been meaning to try getting some fresher cheese from a cheese monger.
ReplyDeleteValli, you're right about Buffalo mozzarella, it's so good, and great on pizza too! Happy New Year to you and yours!!Thanks so much for all your support!
ReplyDeleteYep, buffalo mozzarella, a delicate, tasty cheese. Wait 'til you have it with a summer ripe tomato!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you have never eaten it before! A truly unbelievable cheese, every time I eat it I think, this isn't really cheese is it? I had exactly this on New years Eve, delicious.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, all the best for 2008
Cheers
David x
Unfortunately, I haven't tasted buffalo mozzarella but I believe if the cheese is tasty all the other ingredients added will compliment the taste even more.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for all your sincere and heartfelt thoughts and comments. Have a wonderful 2008!
ReplyDeleteI've never been able to find buffalo mozzarella here - but I'm going to keep looking!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best in 2008!
Happy New Year Valli!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried buffalo mozzarella, but I've made the salad before with cow mozzarella. It's really a great salad. One of my favorites!
Isn't buffalo mozzarella just the most amazing delicate cheese? I can't always get it, and sometimes when I can I can't afford it, but it just makes that caprese perfect!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Valli! I wish you all the best things for this year!
I am so glad to have met you this year!
Thank you everyone for your heartfelt comments. We all need buffalo mozzarella in our lives!
ReplyDeletewhee in the world did you get fresh tomato that was decent? I can't wait until summer!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you discovered buffalo mozzarella. I love that stuff, but it's harder to find in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteThis salad looks so Spring-Like! I love the mozzarella cheese served like this!
ReplyDeleteYou salad, some crusty bread and a good bottle of wine...I am in heaven!
Oh, buffalo mozzarella. keep searching out different brands because there is a LOT of variation in quality.
ReplyDeleteYay, Oka! It's made here in Quebec along with many other fabulous cheeses. You'll have to come try them out someday.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!
That looks lovely and brings back happy memories from last year. We honeymooned in Italy and every day for months after we returned home, all I wanted was tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil on a plate :-) Delicious!
ReplyDeletewe never tire of caprese salad in our house and buffalo mozarella is a real treat.
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting my site, i am loving yours for the hearty, real food recipes.
I served this last week, keeping the basil leaves whole, such a simple idea and ever so delicious!
ReplyDelete