I love to add a side salad to dinner no matter what we’re having. For whatever reason, I always feel better having something fresh and green on the table. If you’re having a pasta dish, parmesan chicken, or any Italian dish…this salad is the perfect sidekick. This is my play on an Italian caprese salad. Instead of using the traditional mozzarella, I used a fresh gooey burrata cheese. The creamy inside of the burrata adds so much texture to the overall construction to the salad. I think burrata is good enough on its own…but it takes on a whole new level of flavor when added alongside juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Mmmm, just talking about it gets me excited! If you’ve never had burrata…you must try it! You can find it in most grocery stores next to the “expensive cheese”, as I like to call it.
I first fell in love with caprese salad in high school. Somehow my parents never made it for me and I had never had it at any restaurant. I had never heard of it before having it at a friends house. One of my best friends was obsessed with it and her mom would make it quite often. Honestly…It was love as first bite. Not only was it tasty, but the different elements all laid out pretty on a plate caught my eye instantly. It’s such a simple dish, but oh so beautiful to look at!
I’m totally that girl that loves to eat salad for lunch every day. I’m always looking to switch things up and try new things during lunch time and this is something I’d gladly make for myself. This caprese salad is a perfect lunch option that you can add a side of grilled chicken to it to make it more filling. Marinate your chicken in a simple Italian dressing and drizzle on some of the balsamic vinaigrette to finish it off. Or you can add it to the same plate of the salad and eat it all together. That’s how I love to eat it! The flavor from the juicy chicken adds another level of richness to the plate and will keep you full till dinnertime.
PAIR WITH:
SPAGHETTI WITH SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE RAGU
BALSAMIC DIJON GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN
SHRIMP LINGUINI WITH CREAMY WHITE WINE SAUCE
GOAT CHEESE, FIG & PROSCIUTTO PIZZA WITH CAYENNE HONEY AND ARUGULA
CAPRESE SALAD WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, BASIL, BURRATA, AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS for Salad:
2 heirloom tomatoes, washed and sliced in thick rounds
1 bunch fresh basil
Fresh burrata cheese
INGREDIENTS for Balsamic Vinaigrette:
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1.5 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS:
Place ingredients for vinaigrette in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Place the tomatoes, basil and burrata on a plate or shallow bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
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