Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

Another tomato recipe.  Score.

I love Caprese salads, especially with really good, high-quality, fresh mozzarella.  Sometimes for dinner I will slice a nice, juicy ripe tomato, lay some mozzarella pieces on top, sprinkle some fresh (or dried, if I’m in a pinch) basil on top….and then pop it under the broiler for a few minutes.  I love the balsamic/olive oil addition on the cold, fresh version of the salad, but sometimes I spice it up a bit and eat it warm without the oil.  Melted cheese….it’s a beautiful thing.

But this is a recipe that I stumbled upon one Saturday morning as I was browsing through recipes online.  I knew that I had to try it, since it calls for some of my favorite things, of course.  Cherry tomatoes are in season right now (my mother’s plant has at least 40 tomatoes on it as I type this…), and I was able to pick some fresh basil from the garden.  The salad itself was pretty easy to assemble, and it was delicious! (especially the next day….)

Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 pints cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 medium shallot (or onion), minced (about three tablespoons)

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 and 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, torn (don’t chop them-the leaves will oxidize and turn dark icky brown)

8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped into bite-size pieces

Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Toss the tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the sugar in a medium bowl.  Set it aside and let stand on its own for 30 minutes.

2. At this point, the recipe recommends transferring the tomatoes to a salad spinner and spinning them for a few seconds to remove the seeds and extra juice.  Make sure you conserve the juice.

3. Put the spun tomato juice/seeds through a fine strainer to reserve the juice and discard the seeds.

4.  At this point, heat a medium saucepan over medium-low heat on the stove.

5.  Add 1/2 cup of the tomato liquid, the shallot, and vinegar to a simmer.  Let simmer until the mixture is reduced to about 3 tablespoons.

6. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and cool to room temperature.

7. Whisk in the oil and salt and pepper to taste.

8.  Add the basil and the mozzarella to the tomatoes. Toss gently to combine.

As a side note, I would like to introduce you to my girl, Scout.  Just look at those big brown eyes. She is by my side whenever I am home.  She is my photography assistant, but she won’t look directly into the camera ever.  I think she’s a little afraid of it.  I was taking the pictures of the salad, and she was making sure that I was performing adequately (although she’s not a fan of tomatoes).  She’s the best dog in the whole world, and so I thought I would share.  Doggie biscuit recipes are on my list of things-to-doSource:  Cooks Illustrated.

July 28, 2010 - 10:08 am

Leah - I LOVE your blog!! I need to try out about, oh…everything!!! on here! This one looks super yummy! 🙂 Keep it comin’!

July 28, 2010 - 1:13 pm

jejune - Auci she`s so cute!!!!
A mmm this salad sounds delicious.If there was some iceberg salad it would be called”the greek salad” .

July 28, 2010 - 6:32 pm

foodies at home - I have a kitchen “helper” myself! At least you never have to sweep up after cooking! If you make dog treats send me the link! I totally want to bake some for my little poopers! hehe

July 28, 2010 - 6:49 pm

eatmovewrite - I love your doggie!!!!!!!!

I really adore tomatoes. It’s pretty much one of my favorite foods. That salad looks fab.

August 3, 2010 - 6:28 pm

Kevin (Closet Cooking) - A perfect summer salad!

August 4, 2010 - 10:25 am

RavieNomNoms - Your puppy is adorable..and that salad! Sheesh how gorgeous and delicious does that look?!

June 13, 2011 - 8:22 pm

Donna - We have a lot in common. We both love Caprese salads and dogs! My garden has produced much basil and cherry tomatoes this year and I needed a salad recipe for my Bible study group this week. This will be perfect. Thank You! I have a great (doggy) recipe for “Peanut Butter Bowser Biscuits” if you want it. It’s a big hit at our Church fund raisers! Thanks again, Donna

June 13, 2011 - 8:49 pm

srlacy - Donna-I would love that recipe! My email is srlacy@yahoo.com-Scout drools for anything peanut butter! 🙂 nice to meet you!

October 19, 2011 - 11:00 pm

Tori - Tried this and it was amazing!!!!! THANKS!

October 31, 2011 - 12:02 am

Shanon’s Chocolate Cupcake Tops - […] and food.  Even in the earliest days of her blog, Shanon shows a talent both behind the lens and in the kitchen.  She is a member of the Foodbuzz community and can also be found on Facebook. […]

January 16, 2012 - 9:14 pm

Sue Turner - My grand daughter made your -Cherry Tomato with Basil & Mozzarella-she brought me & my husband some–well let me tell you,it is yummy:)had to get the recipe for it. and my husband,s taste has been messed up from cancer treatments & does NOT like a lot,but he said hey ( this is good stuff),lol,so it had to be good,thanks & I got your recipe for the –wilted greek salad also,will try that one ,sounds delish:)

May 12, 2012 - 8:22 am

The Curvy Carrot » Classic Caprese with Balsamic Reduction - […] usually do a few variations on the Caprese.  You’ve seen this salad.  You’ve also probably seen this eggs benedict version as well.  Or even this sandwich. Some […]

May 28, 2012 - 11:13 am

Fabulous Eats for Memorial Day - Dr Kristen Bentson - […] Fabulous Photo Credits: Grilled Corn on the Cob  Turkey Burger Sliders  Salad […]

August 1, 2012 - 9:35 am

Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella « fresh from brooklyn - […] to The Curvy Carrot for this fantastic […]

May 17, 2013 - 7:01 pm

tomato mozzarella salad to lunch on | espresso be mine - […] lunch today we made tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad for lunch. It was delicious and we ate it with a baguette that I got at Fairway […]

June 17, 2013 - 2:41 pm

Sue - Your Scout could be a twin of my Bailey – beautiful! Gotta like your salad.

June 17, 2013 - 4:42 pm

srlacy - Boxers are the best dogs, aren’t they?! 🙂

July 16, 2013 - 4:16 am

Amanides d’estiu II | M'agrada com queda - […] (font pròpia) – 2 (font pròpia)- 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – […]

January 20, 2014 - 5:08 am

Rayetta - Looking for a tasty tomatoe/mozarella salad to add to a dinner I’m helping my (23 year old) son plan. He & a group of about 15 friends meet every Monday evening to enjoy good food, wine & global topics. Each person is required to prepare a meal for the others (on a rotating schedule) & they are to make something “out of their comfort zone”… He’s making stuffed chicken breasts with pancetta & aged provolone… Wish I’d thought of this when I was in my 20s!.. But love that my kids love to cook & to host dinners for their peers… & that they still ask for my help & input … :-). Thx for sharing such a wonderful recipe. Oh & I love your “assistant”… I have 3 helpers & a couple fantastic dog cookie recipes using coconut.

February 4, 2014 - 3:16 pm

Healthy Dinner Ideas with Italy’s Favorite Ingredients: Tomato and Mozzarella | Tomato Mozzarella Salad - […] Cherry tomato salad with basil and mozzarella: this salad can serve as an appetizer to share with a group of 4 people or as the main dish for a couple. […]

March 21, 2014 - 8:58 pm

Lynn - Hi, Making your recipe tomorrow and just know it will turn out great. However, I beg to differ concerning the best dog in the world. Boxers are the best dogs ever, but my Lady Nikki is the best dog in the world! Gotta Love those boxers, Lynn

August 23, 2014 - 2:12 pm

Dianne - This salad is so good. I also had some small sweet yellow and dark red tomatoes in my garden so I added them as well.
We are going to a BBQ tonight and everyone is to bring a salad, this is what I’m taking.