Revolutionising Italian classic: Strawberry caprese salad steals the show

Caprese is one of the most famous Italian salads. It successfully combines three ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. I decided to replace one of them. The transformed salad turned out to be just as delicious. You can even eat it for dessert!

Caprese salad, or Insalata Caprese, is one of the most renowned dishes of Italian cuisine. Its colours match those of the Italian flag. Preparing it takes just a moment, and it always tastes restaurant-quality. On hot days, you can eat it as early as breakfast because it is very filling.

It is known that the salad originates from Italy. However, in this case, the specific place is also known. It comes from the picturesque island of Capri, from which it takes its name. Its recipe was created in the 1920s in honour of the King of Italy. Its base is always slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves. The whole dish must be drizzled with olive oil, ideally mixed with balsamic vinegar, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Recently, new versions of this salad have appeared.

What if the red ingredient was replaced with something also red? Yes, we’re talking about strawberries. We often eat them during the season, usually in dessert versions like cakes, pancakes, and other sweet dishes. But these fruits also have great potential in savoury dishes. They pair perfectly with mozzarella cheese and basil. According to Kantar research, strawberries were the favourite fruit of Poles in 2019, and this likely hasn't changed much since then. It's worth making the effort to eat them not only in their sweet versions. The transformed Caprese salad is an excellent way to discover their taste in a savoury version.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups (about 220 grams) of strawberries,
• 140 grams (5 ounces) of mozzarella (you can use buffalo mozzarella),
• Basil leaves to taste,
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil,
• 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar,
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation Method:

1. Slice the mozzarella and strawberries.
2. Arrange them on a platter, interspersing them with basil leaves.
3. Mix the olive oil with the balsamic vinegar and drizzle over the salad.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.