Ontario Tomato La Caprese

"A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins." Laurie Colwin

Hello followers! Hot enough for yah?!
Well, it's day two of 'Salad Week' and we are talkin' tomatoes! Up at our 10 acres of land in Norfolk County, we grew four varieties of tomatoes this year and all have been successful! My Dad's fave have always been Beefsteaks. Perfect on a toasted tomato sandwich, these large tomatoes are hearty, juicy and sweet in flavour. I decided to take one and make my absolute favourite salad of all times... La Caprese. This classic Italian salad is a combination of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and fragrant basil, that is finished with a full bodied extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.The key to this subtle salad is the quality of it's ingredients and it is only to be be enjoyed when tomatoes and basil are in season. The other ingredients can be found at the grocery store, but again, quality counts! Fresh mozzarella is traditionally made with buffalo's milk and can be found at some specialty food shops. If you see it, buy it! Cow's milk mozzarella is more common these days. Different in taste, but still delicious with it's mild flavour and rich, creamy texture. What's left? Oh yes, the extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Very important! Always have a good extra virgin olive oil around for dipping with crusty loaf, finishing off a dish or for a salad. They are expensive, but well worth it! Last Christmas my friend Wendy and her husband Pio gave us a bottle of organic e.v.o.o. straight from Pio's family run farm in Italy. Wow! Talk about a special treat! Absolutely delicious, I used it to heighten the experience of many dishes until it was finished and let me tell you, I enjoyed every last drop!


Simple and Tasty Recipe:

Ontario Tomato La Caprese

ripe tomatoes (of your preference), sliced
fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
fresh basil leaves
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt

.arrange the tomato and cheese on a platter or individual plates
.scatter the basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, buon appetito!

Enjoy this salad as a first or main course. Serve with a crusty loaf of  bread and a nice bottle of wine. Sit outside, play some Italian music and let your mind whisk you away to a patio outside a little trattoria in Italy somewhere. Ahh, now wouldn't that be lovely? Until tomorrow followers, when 'Salad Week' continues!