When I want something healthy, fresh, and flavorful, one of my favorite things to make is a caprese salad. Maybe I should be a little bit more honest here. That intro makes it sound like I have some sort of credibility when discussing healthy eating. (I don't! Keep reading for the Taco Bell obsession part). I attempt healthy eating in spurts, and it's something I need to get better at. I am in no way a health nut, so I don't want it to sound like I know what I'm talking about health wise, but I do know that this dish has some good things in it! 1. Tomatoes - a vegetable! (Or a fruit? Whatever) 2. Basil - a green leaf! (It smells good and green is good, right?) 3. Yummy flavors - so I'm sharing it with you!
The honest truth is, when I want to jump start healthy eating, this salad is a good way to get me to eat some produce. If you know me well, you know that I have an obsession with Taco Bell. I say obsession, because it's one that has been with me since childhood - I even asked my dad if he could "build me a Taco Bell in the basement" when I was little. I'm coming clean and admitting that I've eaten Taco Bell twice this week! (Whoops!)
So, when I went to the grocery store yesterday, I decided to pick up the ingredients to make a caprese salad. It's easy enough that I don't come up with an excuse not to make it, and it's packed with flavors I love! I love food, so I crave great flavors. (Right, I know Taco Bell doesn't really qualify as "great flavor", but it does at 2 a.m., so no judging please).
The honest truth is, when I want to jump start healthy eating, this salad is a good way to get me to eat some produce. If you know me well, you know that I have an obsession with Taco Bell. I say obsession, because it's one that has been with me since childhood - I even asked my dad if he could "build me a Taco Bell in the basement" when I was little. I'm coming clean and admitting that I've eaten Taco Bell twice this week! (Whoops!)
So, when I went to the grocery store yesterday, I decided to pick up the ingredients to make a caprese salad. It's easy enough that I don't come up with an excuse not to make it, and it's packed with flavors I love! I love food, so I crave great flavors. (Right, I know Taco Bell doesn't really qualify as "great flavor", but it does at 2 a.m., so no judging please).
Here's what you are going to need for this little diddy...
- Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
1. Slice your tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick. Try to use medium to large tomatoes so that they can easily support the basil and mozzarella that you are going to stack on top of it. I am using stem tomatoes because I think they are packed with fresh flavor.
2. Slice up your fresh mozzarella, also about 1/4 inch thick. I purchased a mozzarella ball, but if you are serving a larger group, I'd recommend getting a fresh mozzarella log because you'll be able to get more slices out of it. The mozzarella should be soft since it's a fresh mozzarella - don't try to cheap out and use string cheese or something. (Let's stay classy, people...we're trying to be better than Taco Bell here).
3. Tear off the fresh basil leaves from the stems. Keep the leaves whole and intact. If your grocery store has it, I love getting the "living basil" that is an actual real plant that has roots and sits in water. I think the basil is fresher, and it lasts about a week. My store didn't have any, so I had to get prepackaged basil, and I definitely noticed a difference in freshness.
4. Next, stack your caprese salad. Start with the tomato, then place a piece of mozzarella on it, and top it with a basil leaf. Keep creating little stacks until you've used up all of your ingredients.
5. Lastly, drizzle some olive oil over top - don't overdo it! This is just a slight sprinkle. Then finish it off with a bit of salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Mmmmmm.... Now look at your creation, and enjoy!
Do you have a recipe that you use to kick start healthy eating? Something that your body craves after it has had too much processed food? Tell me about it below! I need some inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you stop by often!
Katey
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you stop by often!
Katey