Caprese Salad Bowl (Printable)

Creamy mozzarella meets ripe tomatoes and fresh basil in this vibrant Italian bowl, finished with balsamic and crispy bread cubes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 14 oz ripe tomatoes (heirloom or cherry), sliced or halved
02 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves

→ Dairy

03 - 9 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or sliced)

→ Bread

04 - 4 slices rustic bread (ciabatta or sourdough)

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Toast bread slices until golden and crispy. Cut into bite-sized cubes or tear into rustic chunks.
02 - Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella in a large bowl or on a platter, alternating slices for visual appeal.
03 - Tuck fresh basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella pieces.
04 - Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar evenly over the salad.
05 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Scatter crispy bread pieces on top just before serving to maintain their crunch.
07 - Serve immediately and enjoy.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer even when youre rushing through a weeknight dinner.
  • Theres no cooking involved unless you count toasting bread, which barely counts.
  • You can make it look impressive without actually trying, which is always a win.
02 -
  • Cold mozzarella straight from the fridge kills the flavor, let it sit out for twenty minutes before you start.
  • If your tomatoes arent sweet, a tiny pinch of sugar in the dressing will fix that without making it taste weird.
  • Add the bread last or itll turn soggy, and soggy bread ruins the whole point of having it there.
03 -
  • If your balsamic is too sharp, simmer it for a minute to mellow it out and concentrate the sweetness.
  • A sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the top adds just enough heat to wake everything up without overpowering the freshness.
  • Save any leftover dressing at the bottom of the bowl and use it to dip extra bread, its too good to waste.
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