Description
A fresh and vibrant Strawberry Caprese Salad combining juicy strawberries, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze for a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. Perfect as a light lunch or appetizer that’s easy to prepare and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella (bocconcini or block)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Seasoning and Dressing
- Balsamic glaze (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Optional: Honey or maple syrup (for sweetness)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Gently wash the strawberries under cool water and pat them dry with a clean paper towel. Hull the strawberries by removing the green tops. Depending on their size, halve small to medium strawberries or quarter larger ones.
- Place Strawberries in Bowl: Transfer the prepared strawberries into a medium-sized bowl, ready for assembling.
- Prepare Mozzarella: If using bocconcini, drain from the liquid. If using a block of fresh mozzarella, slice it into rounds that match the thickness of your strawberry pieces for even layering.
- Place Mozzarella in Bowl: Put the mozzarella in a separate bowl for easy handling during assembly.
- Prepare Basil: Wash the fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry. Leave them whole or tear into smaller pieces if the leaves are large to facilitate layering.
- Assemble Salad: On each serving plate, arrange alternating pieces or slices of strawberry and mozzarella. Tuck basil leaves between each strawberry and mozzarella piece to infuse fresh herb flavor throughout.
- Dress and Season: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the assembled salad and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Optionally, add a touch of honey or maple syrup for additional sweetness to balance the acidity.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Bocconcini mozzarella provides a softer texture, while block mozzarella sliced into rounds offers a firmer bite.
- You can customize the sweetness by adjusting the balsamic glaze or adding honey/maple syrup to your preference.
- This salad is best served immediately to keep the fresh texture and vibrant colors intact.
- For a nutty twist, consider adding toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds.
