INDIVIDUAL WARM CAPRESE SALADS

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INDIVIDUAL WARM CAPRESE SALADS image

This is an amazingly delicious antipasto (starter) course. The sweet, juicy slices of fresh, vine-ripened, homegrown tomatoes are topped with a chiffonade of sweet basil, a light sprinkle of garlic salt, kalamata olives, whole milk mozzarella and asiago (or parm,) then broiled until the cheeses are melted, bubbly and just beginning to brown. A few drops of a good balsamic or balsamic reduction is a perfect way to "gild the lily," and a piece of crusty bread on the side to sop up the juices is highly recommended. Enjoy!

Provided by Teresa G. @sokygal

Categories     Other Salads

Number Of Ingredients 8

- olive oil or olive oil spray for pan
1 large tomato (fresh, homegrown, vine-ripened if possible)
sprinkle - garlic salt (see *note)
4-6 large basil leaves, fresh (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
6 to 8 - kalamata olives, pitted & halved or sliced (plus extra for garnish, if desired. see *note.)
3-4 ounce(s) whole milk mozzarella cheese
1 ounce(s) asiago cheese or parmesan, shredded or grated
- balsamic vinegar (optional)

Steps:

  • Gather ingredients.
  • Line a rimmed baking with foil. Lightly grease foil with olive oil or olive oil spray.
  • Remove blossom end and stem/core of tomato. Cut tomato into four 1/2 inch slices. Place on prepared baking sheet.
  • Lightly sprinkle tomato slices with garlic salt.
  • Stack basil leaves, roll into a "cigar" shape; use sharp knife or kitchen shears to chiffonade (cut into thin strips.)
  • Sprinkle 1/4 of the basil on each tomato slice.
  • Place 3 or 4 kalamata olive halves on each tomato slice.
  • Slice or shred mozzarella cheese. Place 1/4 of the cheese on each tomato slice.
  • Sprinkle each slice with about a teaspoon of grated asiago or parmesan cheese.
  • Place oven rack in highest position. Preheat broiler on high. Broil prepared slices for 1 1/2-2 minutes, until cheese is melted and just begins to bubble and brown. Remove from oven immediately.
  • Plate & garnish with basil, olives or a few drops of good balsamic vinegar, or as desired. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers. Recipe may be doubled.
  • *NOTE: If you're watching your salt intake, omit the garlic salt and olives.

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