A Simple Summer Salad

Summer simply begs for simplicity in the kitchen. In the heat of summer, who needs to let stew simmer for hours, adding even more heat to the house? It’s a perfect time for cool, fresh dishes like a simple tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad.

This classic combination comes in many forms depending on the cook’s preference for cherry versus hot-house tomatoes, or large slices versus little pearl-sized spheres of mozzarella. Despite the varieties available for each ingredient, at its heart, the tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad is simple and delicious.

This recipe reflects one preference for the ingredients comprising the salad, but feel free to substitute different tomatoes, basil, or mozzarella varieties and switch proportions as you are so inspired.

Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Salad

5 Campari tomatoes
4 oz. cherry-size fresh mozzarella
½-cup of basil (as fresh as you can get it)
1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove of fresh garlic
Pinch of salt

1) Slice each Campari tomato into eighths

2) Halve the mozzarella

3) Combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil

4) Mince the garlic and stir into the olive oil with the salt

5) Drizzle the oil onto the salad

6) Buon Appetito!