Maralyn and I, the Tandem Tasters, enjoyed our best caprese salad at Molly’s restaurant in Santa Barbara, California.

Lucky us, Molly invited us into her kitchen to share her fresh whole–milk mozzarella imported from a village near Rome.

Caprese Salad

Ingredients

A bed of your favorite lettuce–we like Bibb.
Fresh, bright red, beefsteak tomatoes from your local farm, if possible
Whole milk mozzarella also called Buffalo mozzarella
Balsamic dressing

Method

Arrange the tomatoes and cheese over the lettuce in an eye appealing way on a large platter or in a shallow bowl. We serve our dressing on the side so that each can add their own.

Tip

Drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil and some chopped basil or cilantro over the top of the salad if you wish.

This salad is an ideal lunch selection or as a side with a summer supper of meat, fish or pasta.

Our wine choices are a white wine spritzer, Italian Pinot Grigio, or Prosecco to reveal and enhance the bold balsamic flavor in this salad.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Where & What in the World Blog

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book”

Brenda Hill
Author: Brenda Hill

As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.