Artificial Flavors Free Classic Caprese Salad
Few dishes prove that real ingredients need zero enhancement quite like this Italian classic. Ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves do all the heavy lifting here, and every component on the ingredient list is exactly what it says it is — no mystery additives, no lab-created flavor boosters. That matters more than people realize, since plenty of bottled dressings and pre-made salads sneak in artificial flavor compounds to mimic the brightness that good produce delivers naturally. Here, a generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of flaky sea salt coax out everything the tomatoes and cheese already have to offer. The optional balsamic glaze is a simple reduction, so even that finishing touch stays clean and straightforward. Arrange the alternating slices on a platter, tuck in the basil, and you have something that looks genuinely stunning with almost no effort at all. It's the kind of dish that reminds you why keeping things simple is almost always the right call.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb ripe tomatoes (about 3 large), sliced ¼-inch thick
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼-inch thick
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1–2 tsp balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella to an even 1/4-inch thickness using a sharp knife.
- 2
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving platter, alternating and slightly overlapping them. Tuck the basil leaves between the slices as you go.
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