It’s Caprese Day at The Heritage Cook … Salad and Pizza Recipes

I have been on a major Caprese kick lately. I can’t get enough of the combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It is the perfect way to use the gorgeous produce that fills the markets right now.

I’ll bet you can guess what The Artist thinks about anything made with Caprese ingredients … Molto Bene!

Today I am sharing two recipes with you, both of them using the basic Caprese ingredients. Caprese is a representation of the colors of the Italian flag … red tomatoes, white cheese and green basil. So beautiful when combined, they are almost too pretty to eat – but that won’t stop me, LOL.

Today for Food Network’s #SummerFest, we are all celebrating the beautiful Tomato! For a few years I grew my own heirloom varieties, a blend of colors and flavors that enhanced my summertime menus. I love the anticipation of watching the plants grow from tiny starts, the flowers turning into fruits, and maturing, turning red, yellow and orange in the bright sun.

Instead of just serving plain sliced tomatoes, adding some mozzarella and basil jazzes them up and lets you pretend you are sitting at a trattoria in Venice. A little drizzle of olive oil and you’ll swear you can hear the gondoliers singing!

I had so many tomatoes that I decided to share two recipes with you, a salad and a pizza, both made with Caprese ingredients.

Since I can’t have regular pizza crust anymore, I have found Schar’s gluten-free pizza crusts are absolutely terrific. They come two to a package so The Artist and I can both customize our toppings. Chop up some vegetables, grate a little cheese and dinner can be ready in about 30 minutes. On days when I am too tired to cook, these are a lifesaver!

The original Margherita pizza, made with the same ingredients as the Caprese salad, is believed to have been created in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy when she visited Naples in 1889. Chef Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi combined the classic ingredients and the pizza instantly became popular and is now one of the most recognizable foods of Italy.

When the temperatures are on the rise again our tomatoes are at their happiest. Each day there is a new crop of them at the grocers and we are constantly on the lookout for new ways to utilize them. Trust me when I tell you that these two recipes are featured regularly in my kitchen all through heirloom tomato season.

I hope you enjoy them and try the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Enjoy these classic flavors of Italy!

Mangia!

 

Key Ingredients for Caprese Salad:

• Fresh mozzarella
• Heirloom tomatoes
• Shallot (optional)
• Fresh basil
• Extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar

 

PRO Tip:

If you don’t want to lay out the salad in a circle, you can cut the tomatoes into chunks and serve in a bowl instead of a plate.

 

How to make Caprese Salad:

1. Slice the mozzarella and cut each slice into quarters
2. Arrange tomato slices on a plate and add the cheese pieces
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper; sprinkle the top with the shallots and basil ribbons
4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; serve

 

Recommended Tools (affiliate links; with no additional cost):

• Chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• Cutting board
• Serving platter

 

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Key Ingredients for Gluten Free Caprese Pizza:

• Pre-made pizza crusts, such as Schar brand gluten-free
• Extra-virgin olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper
• Fresh mozzarella
• Heirloom tomatoes
• Sautéed onions, optional
• Fresh basil
• Parmesan cheese, optional

 

PRO Tip:

Using a sturdy pizza crust, like those from Schar are easier to bake in the oven and will stand up to the toppings.

 

How to make Gluten Free Caprese Pizza:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F or according to pizza crust directions
2. Place crusts on a pizza screen and top with oregano, a little salt, the cheese, tomatoes, onions, and salt and pepper to taste
3. Sprinkle with the basil and Parmesan
4. Bake 15 minutes or according to crust directions on packaging
5. Cut into slices with a pizza cutter and serve

 

Recommended Tools (affiliate links; with no additional cost):

• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Pizza screen
• Pizza cutter

 

Gluten-Free Tips:

Naturally gluten-free as long as you use a GF pizza crust.

 

 

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Create a New Tradition Today!

 

Make sure you check all these amazing recipes from my friends celebrating Tomatoes!

Cooking With Elise: Fresh Tomato Sauce
Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Summer Heirloom Tomato & Fruit Salad
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Tomato Cobbler Anyone?
Virtually Homemade: Spaghetti With Tomatoes, Prosciutto and Fresh Corn
What’s Gaby Cooking: Chicken Kebabs With Romesco Sauce
Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Salmon Spaghetti With Plum Tomatoes and Avocado
Feed Me Phoebe: Roasted Fresh Tomato Puttanesca Sauce
Chez Us: Easy Tomato Tart
Made By Michelle: Tomato and Pesto Pizza
Ingredients, Inc.: Lighter Fried Green Tomatoes
Delicious Lean: Creamy Light Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
Daily*Dishin: Spicy Tomato-Tomatillo Chicken Tenders
From My Corner of Saratoga: Tomato Jam
Dishin & Dishes: Tomato Zucchini Frittata
And Love It Too: Roasted Garlic, Basil and Tomato Paleo Tart
Healthy Eats: The Fresh-for-Once Tomato
Sweet Life Bake: Pico de Gallo
Zaika Zabardast: Grilled Tofu and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sandwich
Thursday Night Dinner: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Cooking Channel: How to Prepare Summer Tomatoes
FN Dish: Tomatoes Go Beyond Salads

 

This post was first shared in July 2013. The article was updated in 2020.

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