Caprese Lentil Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is caprese salad made of? ›

What is Caprese Salad? “Insalata Caprese” literally means “the salad of Capri” which is an Italian island. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, then seasoned to perfection, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

To Make Ahead: This easy Caprese salad is definitely best served fresh but it can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you need to make it ahead of time, slice the mozzarella and tomatoes and store them separately in the refrigerator.

An Italian term, the word caprese refers to the combination of fresh Mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, sweet basil, salt, and olive oil. Most commonly it applies to the ever-popular caprese salad which originated in Capri, Italy.

What to serve with Caprese Salad? The best dishes to serve with Caprese Salad are grilled meat, garlic bread, pasta, or a charcuterie board.

Caprese is truly a magical and perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and some kind of drizzle of either olive oil or balsamic… or both. For this Caprese, I used a simple balsamic reduction, which results in a pretty presentation and gorgeous flavor.

However, there are variations of Caprese salad that use different types of cheese, such as burrata or feta cheese. So, while mozzarella cheese is traditional, it is not strictly necessary to make a Caprese salad.

Health Benefits of Caprese Salad:

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Basil leaves contain essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Caprese salad, being low in calories and high in nutrients, can be a beneficial addition to a weight loss or weight management diet.

Better yet, it's healthy, too! A serving of this caprese salad is just 83 calories, 3 grams of carbs, or 3 WW (Weight Watchers) Points.

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

What is a fun fact about the Caprese salad? ›

The ingredients were not so much chosen for their taste, although they pair perfectly together, but because of patriotism. With green basil leaves, white tomatoes, and red tomatoes, caprese also serves as a tribute to the Italian flag. In fact, this isn't the only famous dish that uses the colors of the Italian flag.

The most Southern parts of Italy will say "cah-preh-zseh. " The more Northern parts of Italy will pronounce it "cah-prey-zay." It doesn't matter which of these pronunciations you use, as long as you can say them correctly. This is the equivalent of northern English and southern English.

One of the most delicious dishes found in all of Italian cuisine is Caprese salad or the Insalata Caprese. This dish marries some of the most notable ingredients in Italian cuisine including tomatoes, olive oil, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

Caprese salad is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".

It stays fresher and it's really easy to use a fork to break your portion up into bite size pieces. Or just eat it with your hands! Another way to serve a Caprese style salad is to chop everything into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil and vinegar, and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a chilled pasta salad.

Ovolini mozzarella is just one size down from your standard large ball, perfect for when you're making a caprese for just one or two people. It can be made with buffalo milk, cow's milk, or a combination, but inside the states, it will be made with 100 percent cow's milk.