Strawberry Caprese Salad

Strawberry Caprese Salad is a refreshing and unique take on the classic Caprese Salad. Juicy, ripe strawberries pair perfectly with fresh mozzarella and basil. Drizzled with a simple strawberry balsamic vinaigrette. It’s summer on a plate!

Last summer, I came across a recipe that  introduced me to the many amazing possibilites of Caprese Salad. It was a Peach Caprese Salad, in which tomatoes were replaced by fresh peaches. I was impressed by how simple, pretty, and most importantly, delicious it was. I had one of those aha moments. Why hadn’t I thought of it before? Oh yeah, I’m a rule follower and the Caprese Salad bible says that Caprese Salad must be made with tomatoes. Well. I’m breaking all those salad rules now…and it feels good. It’s what happens when Catholic girls go wild. We make Strawberry Caprese Salad instead of Tomato Caprese Salad. It’s very liberating.

This is more of me sharing an idea than a recipe, since there’s no cooking (aside from mixing up a dressing) involved. It’s perfect for summertime and goes well as a starter salad or a side dish. It’s also versatile! Serve it at a casual cookout or at a nice dinner. And, as a bonus, since both mozzarella and strawberries are kid-friendly, there’s a good chance your kids will like it too…which makes me wonder. Is this really a “salad”? Hmm…cheese and fruit with some leaves in between. Let’s go on pretending that it is, for everyone’s peace of mind.

The shopping list – fresh mozzarella, strawberries, basil, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and honey. Fresh mozzarella is relatively easy to find in grocery stores. The main difference between fresh and regular mozzarella is that fresh mozzarella is softer, creamier, and has a higher moisture content. It also has a lot less sodium, so it’s a good idea to sprinkle it lightly with salt when using it. Its mildness makes it very adaptable and easy to pair with different salads, fruits, and vegetables.

Traditional Italian Caprese Salad is usually just drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with a little salt. Somewhere along the way, someone thought it would be a good idea to invite balsamic vinegar to the party. I’m not picky and I’m happy to eat Caprese Salad dressed or undressed. But, since I do love a good balsamic vinegar, particularly with strawberries, I decided to keep that as the underlying dressing flavor.

The twist in the dressing comes in with the addition of a little honey and a few strawberries. After a few seconds in the blender, you’ll have a lovely vinaigrette that’s tangy and slightly sweet with a mild strawberry flavor. It’s also a great one to top a spinach strawberry salad or any salad with leafy greens and nuts.

One of the best things about this salad is that it always looks impressive and anyone can make it look good. There’s really nothing to it. The pretty colors in the ingredients mean there’s little decorating needed. You just alternate the cheese, berries, and basil on a plate. Then, drizzle it and you’re good to go.

Change things up a bit this summer with a Strawberry Caprese Salad. It’s refreshing, delicious, and easy to make. Why should tomatoes have all the fun?

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