Lauren's Kitchen: Caprese Salad

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Caprese Salad

When Jen and I were both on maternity leave, we loved having lunch at Panera. One of our new favorite orders was a basil-tomato-mozzarella salad, and we were bummed when they took it off the menu for the fall.

I was determined to make this at home, and was really astounded at how easy and simple it is. It has become a go-to crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

8oz fresh mozzarella, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinagrette dressing
24oz vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh basil, coursely chopped or torn

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; adjust dressing and basil to taste. Voila!

6 comments:

AnonymousJuly 6, 2008 at 1:02 PM
It drives me crazy when Panera does that! Great idea to recreate this salad at home. Can't wait to try it!
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What's Cookin ChicagoJuly 6, 2008 at 2:26 PM
A classic recipe and also a fave of mine! :)
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AnonymousJuly 6, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Looks fantastic! I love caprese anything :)
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AnonymousJuly 6, 2008 at 7:40 PM
I can say that Lauren's is as fabulous as Panera's...actually more fabulous coz you can have seconds without paying and her couch is so much more comfy that the chairs at Panera and she won't look at me mean if my child makes noise or a mess. It is a pretty incredible salad! TeeHee!
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PrudyJuly 10, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I'm a sucker for that classic caprese combo. Looks great and way to save a buck!
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JaimeJuly 11, 2008 at 10:19 PM
this is one of my favorite salads!
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Lauren 101

Before my wedding in 2003, my idea of cooking was Kraft mac and cheese. My mother and my mother-in-law even left me several boxes of the blue box on my counter the day we returned from our honeymoon. I believe a few showed up in the wishing well at my bridal shower, too.

Once I became a Mrs, however, I figured I'd need to step it up in the kitchen.

I rarely prepared anything from scratch, though; it was frozen stuff chicken and rice in a pouch all the way.

About a year (and 20lbs) later, I decided that something needed to change in the kitchen. I went on a diet and lost the weight, but knew I needed to lose the habits too.

Armed with Rachael Ray cookbooks and the internet, I slowly began to expand my repertoire. I joined an online cooking forum and subscribed to about eleventy billion cooking blogs.

Cooking remains a challenge, however, as two sweet little boys joined our family over the last few years. Coupled with my full time job, I look for meals that are healthy and easy.

I also discovered a love for photography along the way, and while I'm about as unprofessional behind the camera as they come, I really enjoy honing my skills on my dinner - mainly because it can't run away like my two wild boys can.

I love maintaining this blog, and I hope you like visiting.