Caprese Salad

I consider myself a salad expert people!

Not only am I a salad expert, I’m the head salad maker in my life.

Caprese Salad is one of my favorite salads to make.

Did I mention that I’m top dog when it comes to making salads?

Let me give you a little back story on how I came to such grandiose conclusions about myself.

When I was a kid I would watch Martha Stewart on TV.

I also would order her magazines and cookbooks although I was an unemployed kid with no job.

I owe Martha Stewart money y’all! lol

Anyhow, Ms. Stewart would show her beautiful vegetable gardens and I would sit there in awe.

As a kid I was in shock that a person actually had their own farm of vegetables. In their backyard!

So because of Martha I started gardening and growing my own vegetables at a very young age.

I was unsuccessful at first but I’m no quitter so I never gave up.

Fast forward years, I mean years later after I bought my first home in Arizona.

I turned my whole backyard into a garden. I grew every vegetable I could grow.

Don’t ask me how I grew all of those vegetables in that type of heat. But everything grew!

I would supply veggies to my neighbors too!

We had our very own little community garden.

I’ve always been a salad lover. I’ve always taken the time and effort to make the perfect salad.

Bright, colorful, and full of fresh veggies.

When I started to grow my own veggies it took my salad making to a whole other level.

It’s something about picking fresh produce out of your own yard that changes your prescriptive on what you’re eating.

The food taste better to me. The tomatoes are juicier, the lettuces are crispier. I’m happier.

Growing your own vegetables is life changing y’all. I know it sounds crazy but it’s true.

You don’t need a big space. You can grow a few varieties of lettuces and tomatoes in a container.

When I buy my farm I’m going make sure I give y’all a front row seat to growing vegetables.

Yes, I said farm. Don’t let this California raised girl fool ya’!

In my mind I’m a country farmer hidden in the body of a California city girl.

When I have more time I’ll tell y’all more stories of my upbringing and how farming has always been something I’ve desired to do.

I consider it one of my passions in life.

I can talk about salads and gardening all day if you haven’t noticed?

Summer always says okay Ma’ enough with the lettuce stories.

It still doesn’t stop me!

Caprese Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb tomatoes, mixed variety

1 8 oz ball fresh mozzarella, ripped into chunks

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon creole seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon crushed oregano

pinch of crushed red pepper

Basil to garnish, fresh

Directions:

Mix vinaigrette ingredients in a large lidded jar together, shake well, set aside.

Rinse tomatoes, cut in half or semi thick slices depending on the size of the tomatoes.

Peel mozzarella into large chunks.

Place tomatoes and cheese into a large bowl, coat with vinaigrette and marinate 10 minutes at room temperature.

Place tomatoes and cheese on a platter allowing excess vinaigrette to drip into bowl.

Garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately with extra vinaigrette on the side if desired.