Heart Shaped Caprese Salad

You’ll fall in LOVE with our Caprese Heart Salad. Our modern take on the Italian classic is suited to any occasion. The salad consists of fresh tomato slices, creamy bocconcini cheese, and fragrant basil (or mint) leaves arranged in the shape of a heart. The dish is then drizzled with high-quality olive oil which is measured with your heart followed by a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. Buon Appetito

What stands out

The flavors of this recipe work together beautifully, with the juicy tomatoes providing a burst of sweetness, the creamy fresh cheese adding a rich and tangy flavor. The olive oil ties everything with its rich and smooth texture, while the balsamic glaze is sweet and sour that perfectly complements the other ingredients. This salad is so good that it will make you fall in love all over again. The heart shape adds an extra touch of love to this already dish, making it the appetizer for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.

How to Prepare Heart Shaped Caprese Salad

Wash and dry tomatoes, then cut each into 5-6 thin slices.

Cut bocconcini (or fresh mozzarella) into slices.

Arrange tomato and bocconcini slices to form a heart shape, overlapping them.

Add basil (or mint) leaves for presentation.

Stack cheese slices and cut out 12 mini heart shapes.

Arrange mini hearts on top of the tomato-bocconcini base.

Sprinkle a pinch of salt on tomatoes and bocconcini, then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Serve the Heart Shaped Caprese Salad immediately and enjoy!

Kitchen tip

You can use any ingredients or cheese you have on hand, such as soft or hard mozzarella, bocconcini cheese, mint or basil, and any glaze you like! Have fun with this recipe.

Swaps

Remember that these variations and substitutions are just suggestions, and you can make this Heart Shaped Caprese Salad to fit your taste preferences and ingredient availability.

1. Use a mix of different colored tomatoes for a more multicolor presentation.
2. You could use cherry or grape tomatoes for smaller bite-sized portions.
3. Mix the olive oil and balsamic glaze with a touch of honey or mustard.
4. If you don’t prefer basil or mint, try using another herb such as parsley or cilantro.
5. Add toasted nuts such as pine nuts or walnuts, for a crunchy element.

Serve it with

• A bed of mixed greens or arugula
• A crusty bread like our No Knead Peasant Bread

Questions

strong Can we use dried basil instead of fresh basil for this recipe?

While fresh basil is recommended for better flavor and presentation, you can use dried basil as a substitute. Adjust the quantity to taste.

What type of salt do you use?

We use mark Redmond Real Salt, please note that depending on the salt you use, your dish may be less or more salty. Salt is to taste so please always taste and adjust as you cook.

strong Can we make this dish ahead of time for a party?

It’s best to assemble and serve this dish immediately to maintain the freshness and texture of the tomatoes. If preparing in advance, store the prepared ingredients separately and assemble them just before serving.

strong What other herbs can be used besides basil or mint?

Thyme, oregano, chives, parsley, or cilantro are all excellent alternatives for your Heart Shaped Caprese Salad, depending on your flavor preferences.

strong Is there a specific type of balsamic glaze recommended for the salad?

Any good-quality balsamic glaze will work. You can also experiment with flavored balsamic glazes depending on your preferences.

strong Can we add any other toppings to the Heart Shaped Caprese Salad strong for extra crunch or flavor?

Yes, you could add toasted nuts such as pine nuts or walnuts for a crunchy texture, or even a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

• 2 vine tomatoes, 11 thin slices
• 10 slices bocconcini cheese, 200 grams
• 10 basil leaves, or mint
• 2 slices Provolone cheese
• 1 pinch salt, to taste
• 1 drizzle olive oil, to taste
• 1 drizzle balsamic glaze, to taste

Equipment

• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board
• Mini Cookie Cutter Set

Method

1. Wash and dry the tomatoes. Cut each tomato into 5-6 thin slices. Set aside.
2. Cut the bocconcini (or fresh mozzarella) into slices as well.
3. Arrange the tomatoes and bocconcini cheese making sure they overlap each other and form a heart.
4. Add basil (or mint) leaves on top for presentation.
5. Now, take the cheese and place one slice on top of the other. Cut out mini heart shapes out of the cheese. You should have 12 mini hearts.
6. Arrange the hearts on top just like our picture shows.
7. Add a pinch of salt on the tomatoes and bocconcini followed by a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy!