Simple and Delicious: A Basic Caprese Salad

Looking for a simple, yet delicious salad to add to your repertoire? Look no further than the classic Caprese salad. This dish is made up of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, and it’s perfect for any occasion. Plus, it’s so easy to make!

Why Caprese Salad is Great for Kids

1. Simple and Familiar Ingredients: The ingredients in a Caprese salad are simple and familiar, making them more approachable for kids. Many children enjoy tomatoes and cheese separately, so seeing them combined in a salad can be less intimidating than a more complex dish.

2. Separated Ingredients: One of the great things about a Caprese salad is that the ingredients are more separated. This can be especially appealing to kids who prefer their foods not to touch. They can easily pick and choose what they want to eat, whether it’s the juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, or fresh basil.

3. Visual Appeal: The vibrant colors of the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil make the salad visually appealing. Kids are often drawn to bright, colorful foods, which can make them more excited to try something new.

4. Interactive Assembly: Getting kids involved in the kitchen can increase their willingness to try new foods. Caprese salad is simple enough that kids can help with the assembly, making them more likely to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Tips for the Perfect Caprese Salad

• Use Fresh Ingredients: The key to a great Caprese salad is using the freshest ingredients possible. Look for ripe, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves.
• Quality Olive Oil: Since this salad is so simple, the quality of the olive oil really matters. Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: While traditional Caprese salad doesn’t include balsamic vinegar, a drizzle of high-quality balsamic can add a deliciously sweet and tangy dimension.

Basic Caprese Salad

Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:5 minutes minutes

Yield: 8

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Ingredients

• 3 medium ripe tomatoes sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 tablespoons sea salt
• 1/2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Notes

Kid cooking tip: Let your kids help cut with kid safe knives and arrange ingredients as age appropriate.

Babies: For babies under 12 months but on solids, omit the salt.

For kids under 4: For kids under 4, make sure the grape tomatoes are quartered as they are a choking hazard whole.

Instructions

• Place tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter in an alternating pattern.
• Top with basil leaves. 
• Season with salt and black pepper. 
• Mix together olive oil and balsamic mix and pour over the salad.
• Serve immediately.

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