Caprese Salad

This is especially a favorite in the summer with freshly picked vine ripened tomatoes. However, anytime of year you can still try to recreate this summer bliss by finding the ripest, freshest tomatoes available. Fresh mozzarella is a must as well as fresh basil. Spicewood Food Company balsamic vinegar aged 18 years is being used and can be ordered on-line at Spicewood Food Company.  The reason for using this vinegar is that it is like a reduction a tad bit sweet and very smooth!  Yield will depend on how thick you cut the tomatoes and the fresh mozzarella. Yields about 6 and 8 towers.

Ingredients

8 oz. of fresh mozzarella, sliced about ½ of the log
2 ripe tomatoes sliced
12- 16 sprigs of basil, depending on how many towers are made
1/2 cup of Spicewood Food Company Balsamic Vinegar Aged 18 Years or regular balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Technique

Slice tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Portion out 2 of each for each serving. Do not chiffonade basil until ready to serve, but portion the correct amount for each tower. If you have 6 servings, portion out 6 sprigs of basil for garnish, chiffonade the rest to use inside the layers of the tower. Again, do not chiffonade until ready to assemble. If you have 8 servings, portion out 8 sprigs for garnish, Chiffonade the rest to use inside the layers of the tower. Again, do not chiffonade until ready to assemble.  At this point chiffonade the basil. Assemble towers by placing a slice of mozzarella on the plate, a tomato slice, a chiffonade of basil, a mozzarella slice and then a tomato slice. Pour about a tablespoon of the aged balsamic vinegar over each tower. Top with a basil sprig and sprinkle with a dash of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper.

Suggested Beverage

Try Veneto Pinot Grigio, Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay (Livermore Valley), Hahn Estates Chardonnay (Monterey) or Franciscan Chardonnay (Napa Valley, California).

Chatty Advice

When making any of our gluten-free recipes take care in reading the labels of any packaged or canned products. If there is a label on anything you are using, read it or ask to make sure that it is indeed gluten-free. Many products vary in ingredients from brand to brand. Some examples of this can be found when looking at the labels of soy sauce, mustard, distilled vinegar, and even chicken broth.