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Caprese il Tricolore, aka insalata caprese or caprese salad, is one of my all-time favourite salads at any time of the year. It’s light, it’s refreshing, and really simple to make. It’s one of the easiest meals in the world to make, and takes its name from the Italian flag, il Tricolore Italiano.
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il Tricolore Italiano
The green of the flag is said to represent the hills and plains of Italy, the white is the snow-capped Alps, and the red is the blood spilled during the Italian wars of independence. Catholics will no doubt also tell you that the green is for faith, the white for hope, and the red, charity. Both are equally charming interpretations, and each has merit.
Caprese salad
In this caprese salad, we have the green of the wonderfully fragrant basil and the soft, buttery avocado, the white of the delicately-flavoured and creamy mozzarella (either dairy or vegan mozzarella), and the red of deliciously sweet tomatoes. Italian of course!
Like the most stylish Italians, Caprese il Tricolore is dressed very simply – in this case, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and some freshly-cracked black pepper. Deliziosa!
By the way, in case you are wondering, it’s pronounced, ka-pray-zeh eel tree-coh-lore-ehh.
Ingredients for caprese il Tricolore
- mozzarella
- tomatoes
- basil
- avocado
- balsamic glaze (optional)
- freshly ground black pepper
How to make caprese salad
Making this is simplicity itself:
1. Simply remove the mozzarella from its liquid, rinse it under cold running water, and then pat dry with a piece of kitchen roll to remove any excess moisture.
2. Slice the tomatoes, and tear any large basil leaves in half.
3. Cut the mozzarella into 1cm (½”) slices, and then arrange the cheese, tomato and basil on a plate, alternating each piece.
4. Cut each avocado half into slices, and arrange on the plate.
5. Finish off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a few grinds of black pepper.
What can I serve caprese salad with?
We generally have this as a starter, so we have it on its own. However, for a light lunch or supper, then some good, fresh crusty bread doesn’t go amiss!
You’ll love caprese il Tricolore
Because it’s…
- quick and easy
- refreshing
- light, yet filling
- full of goodness
- MOFMOF (minimum of fuss, maximum of flavour!)
- so delicious
Buon appetito!
