This tomato mozzarella salad is simple, yet elegant. It tastes absolutely amazing if you use fresh homegrown or farmer’s market tomatoes and a great quality balsamic vinegar. For the best look, plate them individually on salad plates when serving for a dinner party.
I have to admit, this is not an original idea. I saw a version of this online somewhere with mozzarella slices but thought if you used the mozzarella pearls or Ciliegine (paid link) (cherry sized mozzarella) it would be a little healthier in points. Normally I like to do caprese salad with cherry tomatoes on skewers but this is a nice twist!
Where did the term hasselback come from?
You’ve may have heard of hasselback potatoes. The Swedish side dish gets its name from a restaurant in Stockholm. Hasselback potatoes are seasoned potatoes, cut half- way through not quite to the bottom of the potato into thin fan-like slices. This hasselback caprese salad uses the same slicing technique, slicing the tomatoes not quite all the way through to the bottom. Super simple, yet eye-catching.
How to make Caprese Tomato Mozzarella Salad – Hasselback style in pictures:
Wash and pat tomato dry. Slice tomato being careful not to cut all the way down to the bottom.
Sprinkle with kosher salt (paid link) and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar immediately before serving.
Other creative caprese tomato salad ideas:
For a different look, try using heirloom tomatoes. Cut the tomato into 5 sections and arrange basil and mozzarella -resembles a flower.
If you love tomatoes, you might also like my Summer Watermelon Tomato Salad with Burrata, Basil and Mint.
Easy Tomato Mozzarella Salad Hasselback Style
Ingredients
- 1 to mato - Romas work well you can use any kind but make sure they are fresh. I like Romas because of the long shape
- 3-6 fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz.Mozzarella Pearls if you can find them or Mozzarella Ciliegine
- 1 T. balsamic vinegar - use a good quality the thicker the better. My absolute favorite is 18 year old traditional balsamic from Mediterraneo but I also love the oils and vinegars from Trio Carmel.
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash tomato and pat dry with paper towel.
- Slice the tomato evenly being careful not to cut down all the way to the bottom.
- Arrange the basil and Mozzarella Pearls or Ciliegine in between each slice of tomato. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve right away. You can make these up ahead of time, just don't put the vinegar on until right before serving.
