Stuffed Caprese Salad

The simple fresh flavors of Caprese salad make it one of my favorite summer dishes. This time I decided to make it a little different by stuffing fresh mozzarella into hollowed tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves, a pinch of microgreens, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar is all this salad needs. Cutting the salad into quarters and watching the wedges fall from the tomato bowls is just more fun. While I was wrapping up the left over stuffed tomato I realized that this would be perfect to pack in a picnic or lunchbox- a compact little salad bundle.
Stuffed Caprese Salad
Serves 4
4 medium-large red tomatoes (they should be regular and round, rather than uneven herilooms)
2 fresh mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained and patted dry
8 fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup microgreens (optional)
Using a paring knife, cut the top off the tomato, as if you were carving a pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and inside flesh of the tomatoes with a spoon and discard.
Halve mozzarella balls either crosswise or lengthwise depending on shape of tomatoes, so that mozzarella will fit and fill inside of tomatoes. Slide two bail leaves between each ball of mozzarella and tomato so that the tops of basil just peek out. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. Top with microgreens if using. Serve with a knife and fork.
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Marina, what a lovely appetizer. although I can eat it as a meal: love tomatoes! Beautiful presentation on Deruta plates. 🙂
Marina (that always makes me giggle) I am so impressed you know these are Deruta plates! And truth be told this was my lunch today, not so much an appetizer in our house either 😉
Loving the idea of stuffing a tomato!
love it! these flavors make me so happy!
smiles to you.
michele
I love caprese salads. There is a place in Wheeling, Illinois called Bob Chinn's. So simple, yet so delicious.
Beautiful!
I think I know what lunch will be today :). I recently had a caprese salad with shaved pecorino over the top (at Fabio Viviani's place in Moorpark). I don't think I'll eat it any other way, the saltiness it added was delicious. I can see the cheese sprinkled over your pretty little tomato bundles.
Gorgeous! Perfect start to a Summer!
Beautiful! Am totally stealing this idea for my dinner party Sat night. My gf is a huge caprese fan and this is sure to impress!~
Thought of doing this long ago and never did it – then completely forgot about the idea! 😀 HA! Mine would've turned out a mess, I'm sure. Yours are absolutely lovely! Looks so delish. Microgreens are a great idea! Another fab post, my dear 🙂
oh STOP! that is the cutest thing I've EVER seen… Thx <3
absolutely love this!
Marina these look wonderful!
Love this presentation, how pretty!! 🙂
Marina,
This would make a nice salad course, the presentation is beautiful.
Karen
Yum! Looks delicious!
So pretty and what a great idea! This would be great for a picnic or bringing lunch to work too.
I make these often when I have the ladies over….Yours look amazing and so tasty. I hope you are having the best week.
Yum! These look delicious! And I just have to say, I love your plates too!
Just gorgeous – simple and delicious
Mary x
The art of delicious simplicity. Awesome 🙂
looks delicious and those shots are amazing!
Wonderful post, pictures and recipe. Looks delicious. Come and visit us on Friday. We are having a great giveaway. Flip flops that you will love.
I use a grapefruit spoon to scoop out my tomatoes Nd it works like a charm!
This looks lovely! Awesome idea!
We have more than our name in common! 🙂