American Flag Caprese Salad Recipes

AMERICAN FLAG CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Wash blueberries, wash and slice tomatoes, and dry the fresh mozzarella slices. Set aside.
• Cut 12 mini stars out of 3 slices of fresh mozzarella using a mini star cutter. Set aside.
• With a serrated knife, slice the baguette on the diagonal into 20 even slices. Brush each slice on both sides with olive oil and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes, until lightly toasted and golden brown around the edges.
• Make the Blueberry Balsamic Drizzle, by whisking the wild blueberry preserves, olive oil and balsamic vinegar together until well combined. Set aside.

AMERICAN FLAG CAPRESE SALAD WITH BLUEBERRY-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim the stem end off each tomato, so they sit flat on their cut sides. Discard the ends or save for another use.
• Begin assembling an American flag by arranging one row of 10 tomatoes, cut-side down, on a large platter or cutting board. Arrange a row of 10 mozzarella balls directly below the tomatoes, and repeat with another row of tomatoes, another row of mozzarella balls, and another row of tomatoes. On the third row of mozzarella balls, add 5 more to extend the row to the left. Repeat with tomatoes and mozzarella balls two more times, ending with tomatoes.
• Set aside 1/4 cup blueberries. Arrange the remaining blueberries in a square to the right of the shorter rows of tomatoes and mozzarella balls.
• Slice mozzarella into 4 pieces, then cut each piece into quarters. Using a paring knife, cut a star from each quarter, creating 16 stars total. (Alternatively, use a small star cookie cutter.) Gently arrange the mozzarella stars on top of the blueberries.
• Combine the reserved 1/4 cup blueberries, oil, vinegar, honey, shallot, salt and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth. Scatter basil leaves around the flag, if desired, and serve with the dressing on the side.

ITALIAN FLAG SALAD (CAPRESE)

Steps:

• Make sure you serve this on a white platter!
• Wash and dry the tomatoes.
• Remove the stem and cut into slices, approximately 1/2 inch thick, lengthwise.
• Arrange slices decoratively on platter.
• Drizzle with just the barest amount of olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt (sea salt is wonderful!) and coarsely ground, FRESH black pepper.
• Cut the mozzarella into slices approximately 1/3 inch thick and arrange 1 slice of cheese per slice of tomato.
• (the mozzarella balls available in Greece are pretty small- maybe 3-4oz).
• What you want is a white slice of cheese just covering the tomato slice, but with the red of the tomato peeking through.
• Dot each mozzarella round with 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of pesto.
• Serve with lots of crusty bread!

CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange the tomatoes, cheese and basil on a serving platter. Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients; drizzle over salad. If desired, sprinkle with additional salt and pepper.

THE BEST CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and basil leaves on a serving plate, alternating between them. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

CLASSIC CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• While mozzarella is cold, slice it into 1/4-inch slices. Let it sit, loosely covered, to come to room temperature while you prepare the tomatoes.
• Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices, leaving them in a single layer on the cutting board as you go. Sprinkle generously with salt.
• On a serving platter, arrange the mozzarella, tomato slices, and whole basil leaves so they overlap slightly. Pour any tomato juices from the cutting board over the dish. Sprinkle again with salt and pepper, and drizzle with plenty of oil. Top with reserved basil, and serve.