I was recently on Capri, the stunning island off the Amalfi Coast. It finally dawned on me that the delicious salad of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, Caprese salad, was named for the island where it was first made. I am possibly the last person to realise this.
This salad is delightfully simple. The ingredients must be perfect. The buffalo mozzarella needs to be fresh, the tomatoes ripe, but not too ripe and the basil torn, not cut. The only other ingredients are olive oil, salt and pepper.
Caprese salad first appeared on a menu in the Hotel Quissana on Capri in the early 1920s and it now recognised all over the world.
It is served as antipasto, a starter, not as a side salad.
I made one for lunch.
The olive oil I used was very special.
It was given to me by Filippo, who helps me with the garden at Casa Debbio. He tends an olive grove in Vergemoli and he picked and pressed the olives himself. I was delighted when he gave me a bottle of his precious oil. I have a little bit of Vergemoli here with me in Brisbane and it is delicious.
Did you all know that Caprese salad was named for the island where it was first made?
I’m available for a taste test – cos you can’t keep the oil
By: Elizabeth Litzow on December 1, 2017
at 10:20 am
Anytime.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2017
at 8:39 pm
I had no idea, thank you for your information. Capri is on my bucket list.
By: Gerlinde on December 1, 2017
at 10:51 am
You must go to Capri.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2017
at 8:40 pm
When we look at it, the Insalata Caprese is in a way the antipasto version of The very patriotic Pizza Margherita, red, white and green. And no vinegar, please! Just the finest olive oil that you can find… you are lucky, Debra!
By: Molino Dominillo on December 1, 2017
at 11:38 am
No, certainly no vinegar.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2017
at 8:40 pm
Umm, you aren’t the last person to realise that 🙂 i love good olive oil and i’m sure Fillipo’s is bellissimo.
By: Jan on December 1, 2017
at 11:50 am
It is very special.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2017
at 8:41 pm
We have a friend who’s family farm in Tuscany, and when he comes back from a visit, he always gives us a tin of their olive oil. The taste is unique and nothing like a lot of the bought olive oil.
By: janetknight57 on December 1, 2017
at 4:02 pm
Getting fresh olive oil is wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2017
at 8:41 pm
No, I had no idea it originated in Capri either, Debra! Makes sense! My favourite salad, particularly in Italy!
By: Pauline on December 1, 2017
at 8:45 pm
I guess I just didn’t think about it before.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2017
at 5:56 am
Yes I did know that Deb. Love Capri and also the Insalata Caprese – have enjoyed it with you at your place in Bagni di Lucca as well.
By: Dianne Cant on December 1, 2017
at 11:34 pm
Yes, Caprese means “of Capri”. I don’t know why it took me so long to realise.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2017
at 4:21 am
I NEVER made the connection between the isle and the salad either. Anther light bulb moment, eh?
By: Yvonne on December 2, 2017
at 5:31 am
The light finally came on for me.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2017
at 5:56 am
Even I knew that Deb !!! Funny old you!! Jx
By: Jan Williams on December 2, 2017
at 5:46 am
It just didn’t enter my head until recently.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2017
at 5:57 am
Buona
By: holisticexchange on December 3, 2017
at 8:53 am
I agree, the ingredients must be perfect because of the simplicity of the salad. I love this salad in summer 😀
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on December 3, 2017
at 7:11 pm
Everything is simple in Italy, but so yummy!
By: Victor Tribunsky on December 5, 2017
at 10:19 am
The best ingredients served simply
By: Debra Kolkka on December 6, 2017
at 1:44 am