Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

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(the above photo is copyrighted to the original photographer:  Rosalind Corieri Paige.  Note to photo thieves:  I will find your copying this photo without your giving correct credit to my site and this photo.  Because of the popularity of this photo, I have resorted to prosecution of copyright violators through the appropriate avenues).

I am just SO excited and jazzed! All of this rain and warm weather with sunny days after the rains have contributed to an bountiful crop of tomatoes! That's right, it's only June and I'm harvesting tomatoes by the bucket-fulls!

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(the above photo is copyrighted to the original photographer:  Rosalind Corieri Paige.  Note to photo thieves:  I will find your copying this photo without your giving correct credit to my site and this photo.  Because of the popularity of this photo, I have resorted to prosecution of copyright violators through the appropriate avenues).

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So today I've made one of my all time favorite Italian dishes: Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes. Normally, I slice up nice some Roma tomatoes (or any tomato, really!), then slice up some fresh imported Mozzarella cheese, and finally, stack those with large basil leaves. I drizzle them with high-quality Extra Virgin First Pressed Italian Olive Oil and sprinkle them with Italian sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

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But with this bumper crop of grape tomatoes coming in, I chose to make a Caprese salad instead. This salad uses all of the same ingredients, just in smaller pieces. You can eat it by the fork or the spoonful! I also pass around fresh Italian bread to serve along with the salad for guests to spoon some salad on top and eat or to mop up the flavored olive oil! Mmmmm, just pure and simple heaven!

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(the above photo is copyrighted to the original photographer:  Rosalind Corieri Paige.  Note to photo thieves:  I will find your copying this photo without your giving correct credit to my site and this photo.  Because of the popularity of this photo, I have resorted to prosecution of copyright violators through the appropriate avenues).

Roz Corieri Paige's Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil

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4 - 5 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves

1 lb fresh imported Italian mozzarella, cut into 1/4 - 1/2" cubes

1/4 cup extra virgin, first preseed Italian olive oil

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar for a more mild flavor)

10 - 15 large fresh basil leaves (to taste)

Italian sea salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh Italian bread

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Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

Tear the basil into large pieces and toss into the salad.

Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve immediately (can be refrigerated to serve a little bit later too).

Serve with fresh, crusty Italian bread.

Once again, notice to those who steal my blog photography:


Permission to use anything on this blog by Rosalind Corieri Paige is required with correct citation and linkage back to this site or legal prosecution of theft will result through my husband, who is an copyright attorney!

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Italian Photo Exhibit in NYC: "La Dolce Vita"

Hello Dear Amici,

There is a fabulous new Photography Exhibit soon to be shown this month of June, 2009 in New York City and traveling to other U.S. cities about "La Dolce Vita"......the sweet life in Italy after WWII when royalty, celebrities, and the wealthy visited Italy. It was quite a glamourous and sophisticated time of renewal after the horrors of the war.

Proceeds from this exhibit will go to helping children in Afghanistan. The exhibit will begin on June 26th.

Here is a YouTube video to preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imsIHOYKrHM



 

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I Fiori (The Flowers) on La Bella Vita!

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Hello Dear Amici,

The roses are blooming so abundantly this spring. I have had to spray for black spot due to all of the rain and moisture. It's not something that I like to do, but it is certainly a must-do for roses in the SE when it's moist. The beauty of these roses is so worth the time and effort that they take to care for!

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So far this spring, the weekly rainshowers have resulted in a magnificent display of flowers of all sorts. The daylilies are just now opening up and the roses are still in full bloom. It's been spectacular!
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"Guacamole" hosta -- what a perfect name; the lime green color just shouts out in the garden; it is absolutley one of my favorites!..

"Renee Michelle" Azalea -- one of our perennial winners every spring!

Purple-blue iris given to us by W.D.'s late father's Ohio garden 25 years ago; I don't know the name though. However, it is a very special flower to us.

PPerfect "Stargazer" oriental lily! Just amazing, huh?

..HHuge "Great Expectations" hostas and other varieties
surrounding the bird bath!
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"Nellie Moser" clematis climbing the lamp post to happily greet everyone!
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. CCheeCheerful, friendly, happy, blue Colombine that always leaves such a
good feeling inside to see in the spring!

.TOur Bleeding Hearts naturalize more and more each year and
are just a delicate joy in the front garden!
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Stately Foxglove that stubbornly grows in our garden; they aren't easy for us!

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And finally, a loving mother bird in her nest under the porch tops it all off

for life on La Bella Vita!

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Happy Gardening everyone!
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Amore',

~ bella

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