Description
Summer gardens shine with this roasted tomato caprese salad celebrating fresh Mediterranean ingredients. Juicy roasted tomatoes mingle with creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil, inviting seasonal flavors to dance on your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 plum tomatoes (halved lengthwise, seeds removed)
- 16 oz (454 g) fresh salted mozzarella (sliced)
- 12 fresh basil leaves (julienned)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 2 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Tomato Preparation: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Slice ripe tomatoes in half and arrange cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet in a single, non-overlapping layer.
- Seasoning Infusion: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar over tomatoes. Sprinkle minced garlic, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Roasting Process: Slow-roast tomatoes for 2 hours, allowing them to caramelize and concentrate their natural sweetness. Remove when edges appear slightly dried and darkened, then cool completely to room temperature.
- Cheese and Assembly: Slice fresh mozzarella into uniform pieces, adjusting size to match roasted tomatoes. Create an artful arrangement by alternating and overlapping tomatoes and mozzarella on a serving platter.
- Finishing Touches: Tear fresh basil leaves and scatter over the tomato and mozzarella layers. Lightly season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Complete the dish with a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a glossy, appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Tomato Selection: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes for the best roasting results, ensuring even caramelization and intense flavor development.
- Slow Roasting Technique: Low-temperature roasting at 275°F concentrates natural tomato sweetness and creates a rich, deeply flavored ingredient.
- Mozzarella Matching: Cut mozzarella to similar size as roasted tomatoes for a balanced and visually appealing presentation that ensures perfect bite-sized portions.
- Serving Temperature Matters: Allow the dish to rest at room temperature before serving to maximize flavor integration and create a harmonious taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg