Recipe: Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a simple and elegant salad requiring no formal recipe. Make it by alternating slices of juicy ripe tomatoes and creamy fresh mozzarella, and top with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

It is a classic Italian salad made even more perfect by ripe New Jersey tomatoes. Tomatoes are a great way to incorporate antioxidants into your diet, mainly the antioxidant lycopene. This nutrient is associated with many health benefits such as improved heart health and a lower risk of certain types of cancer. 

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced 
• 16 ounces of fresh mozzarella, thickly sliced 
• Small bunch of fresh basil leaves 
• Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling 
• Olive oil, for drizzling 
• ½ teaspoon coarse salt 
• Freshly ground pepper 

Preparation:

1. On a platter, top slices of mozzarella cheese with slices of tomato. 
2. Tuck the basil leaves in and around the tomato and cheese slices. 
3. Just prior to serving, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and the olive oil. 
4. Finish by sprinkling with salt and pepper. 

Next Steps & Resources:

• Recipe shared by the oncology dieticians at John Theurer Cancer Center