Caprese Salad - A Classic Italian Starter | Greedy Gourmet

Question 1

Why is it called caprese salad?

Accepted Answer

Pronounced “cah-PRAY-ze,” this dish originated on the island of Capri, in the Campania region of Italy. In Italy, it’s known as “insalata caprese.”

Question 2

Who invented caprese salad?

Accepted Answer

Like a lot of classic Italian dishes, the origins of caprese are unclear. There are two main theories about who first invented this delicious Italian salad.

The first is a tale of patriotism that goes back to just after World War I. It’s said that an Italian mason would decorate his sandwich in the colours of the Italian flag. So, the green of the basil, the white of the mozzarella and the vivid red of the tomatoes.

It certainly sounds plausible, right?

The second popular theory is that in 1952, when Egypt’s ousted monarch King Farouk visited the island of Capri, he was served a caprese salad in a sandwich as an afternoon snack. He loved it so much that word soon spread of a new supremely tasty salad.

This royal tale seems unlikely though, as there are apparently mentions of caprese salad in Italian cookbooks as far back as the 1920s.

Whatever the origins, by the late 1950s, the dish became a big hit, spreading across the rest of Italy and throughout Europe. By the 1980s, it was a classic to be found on menus across some of the world’s finest restaurants.

Question 3

Can I add a balsamic glaze?

Accepted Answer

It’s not the traditional way to do things, but of course you can use a balsamic reduction.

I prefer the flavor of red wine vinegar mixed into a vinaigrette with dijon mustard and extra virgin olive oil. It’s lighter and works better with the tomates, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Question 4

Do you eat caprese salad cold or at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Caprese salad is best served at room temperature. So, make sure you take the tomatoes and mozzarella out of the fridge at least an hour before assembling the salad.

Question 5

How long does caprese salad last?

Accepted Answer

I definitely recommend that you eat it fresh. However, you can store caprese salad in the fridge for 2–3 days after making it.

Question 6

Where can I buy fresh mozzarella?

Accepted Answer

You can buy it at your local supermarket or grocery store. Find a specialist Italian store for the best quality mozzarella.

Question 7

Is caprese salad healthy?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Tomatoes contain many antioxidants and are a great source of vitamin C, while mozzarella is one of the healthiest types of cheese, containing vitamin B2 as well as other essential vitamins and minerals.

Meanwhile, basil is good for the immune system and can help aid digestion.

Question 8

The best tomatoes for caprese salad

Accepted Answer

Large, juicy, ripe tomatoes are best. Not too ripe though. You want them to let out some juice when sliced, but still to maintain their shape.

Question 9

Variations of this caprese salad recipe

Accepted Answer

The great thing about this recipe is that you can adapt it. Let’s take a look at a couple of ways you can play with this Italian classic.

Baked caprese salad

You can even adapt this caprese salad recipe by serving it on top of bruschetta and baking it in the oven.

Just brush a thick slice of baguette with extra virgin olive oil (both sides). Place on a baking sheet, top with a slice of tomato and a tear of mozzarella and sprinkling of salt and pepper. Then bake in the oven at 220ºC/428ºF for 5–7 minutes.

Take out of the oven and top with a basil leaf. There you have it… baked caprese salad!

Caprese skewers

If you want to get really creative with your caprese salad, check out my caprese skewers recipe.

It’s perfect as a starter at dinner parties or as part of a spread during the festive season, and also works really well as a side dish for summer barbecues.

Description

Ingredients

Salad

Vinaigrette

Instructions

Notes