Rough Caprese Salad

I believe *smile* our summer may be here.  I found figs this weekend.  And I found an abundance of heirloom tomatoes.  LOVE IT!  We snacked on bowls of fresh figs all weekend and we had heirlooms two ways – baked with a sprinkling of garlic and thyme and this gorgeous salad.  The salad was a meal all by itself when you add a nice loaf of bread, a little asiago and a summery glass of wine.

Who does not love a good a caprese salad?  We tend to have it very often during our short lived tomato season.  I love the juicy sweet tomatoes nestled between fresh mozzarella with a sprinkle of basil and a drizzle of good olive oil, nothing says “summer” like this.  I wanted to make the salad less formal, in honor of the very hot day we were having – definitely a reason to celebrate a bounty of summer passion.  So I roughly cut an abundance (I over bought *huge*) of heirlooms in all colors from orange to green, I like pretty food.  Then I torn fresh pieces of mozzarella into bite size pieces and tossed it all together with a little red onion, fresh basil and a good drizzle of good olive oil and aged balsamic.  Perfect!

Recipe:  Rough Caprese Salad

heirloom tomatoes

basil

red onion

fresh mozzarella

drizzle good quality olive oil

drizzle good quality balsamic vinegar

sprinkle of salt & pepper

Roughly chop your tomatoes put into a bowl.  Using all of the passion you have tear up the mozzarella into bite size pieces, add to the bowl.  Add small basil leaves, as much as you like, we like a lot.  Mince the red onion into small pieces and add to the bowl.  Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Gently toss, just enough to mix the flavors.  Serve.  Eat.