Imagine a burst of flavor that dances on your palate, combining the juicy sweetness of ripe peaches, the creamy richness of fresh mozzarella, and the vibrant tang of cherry tomatoes. This isn't just a salad - it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece that will make your taste buds sing with joy. Perfect for hot summer days, lazy brunches, or elegant dinner parties, this Tomato Mozzarella Stone Fruit salad is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under cool running water. Pat dry the cherry tomatoes, peaches, and basil leaves with clean paper towels.
- Carefully slice the cherry tomatoes in half, ensuring a clean and even cut. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Drain the fresh mozzarella balls and pat them dry with paper towels. If the balls are large, cut them into smaller bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the ripe peaches into thin, uniform wedges, removing the pit carefully. Add the peach slices to the mixing bowl with the tomatoes.
- Gently tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces, releasing their aromatic oils. Add them to the bowl with the tomatoes and peaches.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar evenly over the ingredients in the bowl, ensuring a light and balanced coating.
- Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, using a light hand to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Using a soft spatula or large spoon, gently toss the ingredients together to ensure even distribution of vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the mozzarella pieces to the salad and fold them in carefully to prevent breaking.
- Let the salad rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates, ensuring an aesthetic arrangement of the colorful ingredients.
- Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves just before serving for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
Tips
- Choose Peak-Season Ingredients: The secret to an extraordinary salad lies in using the freshest, ripest produce. Select vine-ripened cherry tomatoes and perfectly soft, fragrant peaches for maximum flavor.
- Mozzarella Matters: Opt for fresh, high-quality mozzarella balls. If they're large, cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure every forkful has the perfect balance of ingredients.
- Vinegar Technique: Drizzle balsamic vinegar sparingly - you want to enhance, not overpower, the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Temperature Tip: Serve the salad slightly chilled or at room temperature to maximize the flavor profile and ingredient texture.
- Presentation is Key: Take an extra moment to artfully arrange the salad on the plate. The visual appeal can be just as important as the taste!
- Fresh Herb Hack: Tear basil leaves by hand instead of chopping to release more aromatic oils and prevent bruising.
- Resting Time: Allow the salad to sit for 2-3 minutes after mixing to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 35mg
