Insalata Caprese is a simple salad that can be made quickly anytime. It is normally served as an appetizer but you can also serve it as a lunch or as a side dish.
It tastes best in the summertime when the main ingredients are at their freshest. So let’s start!
What is Italian Caprese Salad?
A Caprese salad appetizer consists of only three main ingredients: tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. The seasoning includes Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt and pepper.
The origin of this salad is believed to be from the island of Capri and the colors of the main ingredients reflect the colours of the Italian flag.
Italian Caprese #1: Insalata Caprese (Caprese Salad)
The first recipe is the traditional Caprese salad. This recipe uses a large tomato, a large fresh buffalo mozzarella ball and large basil leaves. If the buffalo mozzarella is not available, you can substitute with a cow’s milk mozzarella. Traditionally it is served in a circular display on a plate.
See Insalata Caprese for details of the full recipe.
Italian Caprese Salad #2: Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
The second recipe is an easy Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes. It is a smaller scale version of the traditional Caprese salad. This recipe uses small tomatoes, such as grape or cherry, mini Bocconcini and fresh chopped basil. The Caprese dressing for this salad includes extra vrigin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and finely ground black pepper.
For the full recipe details see Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes.
Italian Caprese Salad #3: Caprese Bites
The third recipe version of Italian Caprese salad also uses small tomatoes and mini Bocconcini. Except this time they are placed on toothpicks and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Caprese salad served this way makes a great finger food at any party!
See Caprese Bites for the full recipe details.
Italian Caprese Salad #4: Caprese Skewers
This fourth Caprese salad inspired recipe is Caprese appetizer skewers. This recipe is very similar to the Caprese Bites, except that it uses a longer stick and doubles the ingredients on the stick. This recipe is also suitable to serve as finger appetizers or even at a barbecue as a side dish.
See Caprese Skewers for the full recipe.
Try some or all of these Italian Caprese recipes. You are sure to enjoy them! Buon Appetitio!