Caprese Salad (Traditional)

Caprese Salad (Traditional)

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound fresh (not packaged) mozzarella cheese, cut in thick (1/4 inch) slices
• 2 large ripe tomatoes cut in thick 1/3 inch slices
• 8 to 10 large fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup Picudo or Arbequina extra-virgin olive oil
• Celia's Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
• Fresh ground pepper
• Sea Salt or coarse salt

Directions

1. Arrange alternating tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving platter, or place a tomato on an individual serving dish and top each piece of tomato with a slice of mozzarella. This may be done a few hours in advance. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Just prior to serving, chop the basil coarsely into thin strips. Sprinkle the basil over the tomato/mozzarella pieces. Drizzle a thin line of sweet-fruity extra-virgin olive oil on top of the tomato-mozzarella combination. Follow with a hefty drizzle of balsamic vinegar on top of the tomato-mozzarella combination and then add freshly ground pepper and salt to taste.