Insalata Caprese, which means Salad made in Capri, the region of Campania, in Italy, is a simple salad using plum tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil and seasoning.
I made a twist on this salad using halloumi and mint as well, both in the form of pesto and fresh mint. I wanted to share this salad with you now that there are still some juicy tomatoes. Although this is the most simple salad you can make, don’t think that the taste will be simple as well, as it is full of flavour.
I do not give any specific amounts but depending on the slices of your tomatoes, you will need a slice of mozarella/halloumi and a leaf of basil/mint.
Insalata Caprese – Recipe adapted by Ivy
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Serves: 3 – 4 (1 tomato per person)
Ingredients:
- 3 – 4 ripe medium size tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella balls
- Halloumi slices
- Mint pesto
- Fresh Mint and Basil Leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Oregano
- Olive oil
Directions
- Peel (optional) and slice the tomatoes.
- Season each piece of tomato with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Add ½ tsp pesto on each slice of tomato.
- Top each piece of tomato with mozzarella, alternating with halloumi, a mint leaf and a basil leaf.
- Sprinkle some dried oregano on top and a drizzle of olive oil
A few awards to acknowledge from new and old friends and a fun meme to relax. If any one of you feels like playing feel free to share it on your blog or on facebook.
A new friend Lissie, of Salt and Spice, has passed all these awards. Thanks a lot Lissie!!
I am passing these awards to the following:
Gaye, of Laws of the Kitchen
Rosa, of Rosa’s Yummy Yums
Alison, of Alison’s Trails
Lisa, of Chef in my kitchen
Jeena, of Jeena’s Kitchen
Adam, of Baking with Dynamite
Bunny, of Bunny’s Warm Oven
Heni, of Simplicity by the sea
My friend Gaye, of Laws of the Kitchen has passed on to me the Your Blog is Over The Top award. Thank you so much Gaye.
This award goes with a fun meme which has to be passed on to 6 of your favourite blogs and which has to be answered with only one word.
Here is the meme part:
1. Where is your cell phone: On the charger
2. Your hair: Chestnut
3. Your mother: Deceased
4. Your father: Ditto
5. Your favorite food: Desserts
6. Your dream last night: None
7. Your favorite drink: Coffee
8. Your dream/goal: Relocating
9. What room are you in: livingroom
10. Your hobby: Painting
11. Your fear: Heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Countryside
13. Where were you last night: Taverna
14. Something you aren’t: Hypocrite
15. Muffins: Banana
16. Wish list item: Garden
17. Where did you grow up: Limassol
18. Last thing you did: Voted
19. What are you wearing: Trainers
20. Your TV: Off
21. Your pets: Died
22. Your friends: Cyprus
23. Your life: Good
24. Your mood: Happy
25. Missing someone: Relatives
26. Vehicle: Yes
27. Something you’re not wearing: Hat
28. Your favorite store: Ikea
29. Your favorite color: Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed: T.V.
31. Last time you cried: Unsure
32. Your best friend: Aliki
33. One place that I go over and over: Nafplio
34. One person who emails me regularly: Aleka
35. Favorite place to eat: Home
I pass the award and meme to:
Angie, of Angies Recipes
Natasha, of 5 Star Foodie
Lissie, of Salt and Spice
Yasmeen, of Health Nut
Reeni, of Cinnamon & Spice
Soma, of eCurry
Tags: Cheese, halloumi, Italian, Meme, Mozarella, Salads, tomatoes
Awesome twist to the insalata caprese!
Thank you so much for the award Ivy, it is very kind of you to think about me it means a lot.
I like your take on insalata Caprese, halloumi and mint pesto? FABULOUS! I would love this!
I just love caprese salad. Like you say, it’s simple to make and just so yummy. I like the idea of using mint instead of basil. I’ll have to give it a try. I’m getting some lovely tomatoes in my CSA these days.
A wonderful salad! Thanks for the award and congrats! Great to learn more about you!
Cheers and have a nice Sunday,
Rosa
I love the presentation of the salad you put together. It’s super inviting with the tomatoes displayed like that. Mint sounds really great in there too!
Thanks a bunch for the awards. It’s nice to be thought of among good friends and good times. Meme’s are fun too when it comes to learning about each other
A refreshing salad,mint and halloumi must be just as good.Thanks for passing the award to me,dear Ivy
Looks and sounds delicious Ivy. Quite refreshing … light and yet filling all at once. I love salads and I haven’t had halloumi in a long time … looks like when I visit Astoria today I will have to pick some up from one of the many Greek stores there.
This looks so good. I think I’ll go get some halloumi soon and try it this way.
It was nice to learn more about you Ivy! Thanks for sharing and passing it on to me. Your salad looks so fresh and delicious!
dear ivy,i’m so surprised by awards!thank you very much,i’m honored!
btw,caprese salad is beautiful!
I think when you’re dealing with Mediterranean flavors and ingredients, they are interchangeable. Basil for Mint, great! Halloumi for Mozzarella ditto.
A lovely twist…basil and mint do go well together and Halloumi is again, the star here.
Love the mint. great idea.
…lovely pics too, I can smell the herbs from here!
A nice twist Ivy on an Italian classic…delicious! Extra halloumi for me please!
How perfect–love the halloumi and mint!
Oh, thank you so much Ivy for the award. I am so honoured. The salad sounds amazing. I must see if I can find halloumi.
ooo I love how you formed the ring for the Caprese very ingenius Ivy! And using halloumi, better then mozzorella! Also thanks for the nice award! You are a doll!
The salad looks so refreshing and yummy!
Thank you so much for passing on the award to me! it is really encouraging… nice to know more about you
I adore Insalata Caprese, so your Greek inspired version intrigues me. Thanks so much for the awards!!! I loved reading your mem responses – it’s always fun finding out more about people.
I think I would enjoy just about any combination of cheese, tomato, and herbs! Sounds delicious!
Thanks Ivy:-D
I love IKEA too, esp. the market place where they have the cute little things.
I love the twist you did with a different cheese, the pesto & the herbs. I did one few days back, I did a cubed caprese, but i guess it is just varied in the way it looks.
Great take on a caprese salad!
[...] Dear Ivy has passed on to me this award. Thank you so much dear! [...]
Ivy, this looks GORGEOUS! We made a similar caprese twist just last week with jibneh (similar to halloumi) and I could have eaten the whole tray myself! Yum, yum, YUM!
nice lovely colour..
[...] left at the post, I immediately envisioned this salad with rocket (arugula) and feta and kept the Insalata Caprese part, the nectarines and prosciutto, adding my own twist. The remaining ingredients came together [...]