Monday Fast Food – Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad
Happy Monday everyone! Let’s start the week right with a simple, fresh, yet incredibly delicious salad. This meal, paired with either a roasted fillet of salmon, or some nice garlicky bread, makes for a light yet fulfilling dinner.
Let’s face it, I am not a salad girl, and usually an overdose of vegetables makes me irritable and even more ravenous, but this salad really eats like a meal and leaves me happily satiated. The complimentary flavours of juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy meaty mozzarella, and fragrant basil are tied together with a sweet and slightly garlicky balsamic dressing. If it could turn this carnivore into a happy grazer for a day, then I’m sure it could also convert you!
What you’ll need:
- 2 ripe tomatos
- 150g of fresh mozzarella
- a handful of basil
- 3 tbls balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp (or a squirt) of honey
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- juice from 1/4 of a lemon
- a pinch of salt & pepper
Wash and cut tomatoes into large chunks. Cut or tear fresh mozzarella into similar size chunks.
Pick the baby leaves off the basil stems and reserve for garnish. Roll the rest of the bigger basil leaves into a cigar shape and chop roughly.
Whisk honey, balsamic, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper together. I usually just eyeball the measurements – have fun, play around with the ratios to your preference. I love adding fresh lemon juice for that hint of tart sunniness.
Pour all that delicious dressing over the tomato and mozzarella, toss well. Garnish with some baby basil leaves. Wow, that took what, 5 minutes?
Bon Appetit!
