Caprese is a simple yet delicious Italian salad that is made with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Served with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, a Caprese salad is the essence of Italian food. Simple yet elegant, Caprese needs no embellishment to reach culinary perfection. At the Sandwich Shop, we’ve turned the classic Caprese salad into a delightfully simple sandwich. We take the Caprese salad and put it on a toasted ciabatta bun with pesto mayo and crisp romaine lettuce.
It’s clear why Caprese is an Italian food classic. Let’s look at where it comes from and why these ingredients work so well together.
A Mediterranean Delight
Caprese salad has existed in one form or another for centuries. Although its ingredients are common in many Italian dishes, it is the particular combination and arrangement of those ingredients that make a salad Caprese. For example, its basic ingredients are also the toppings of a Margherita pizza.
The salad originates in the Campania region of Italy and is named for the island of Capri. This region is famous for its warm weather, so meals with only cold ingredients that are easy to prepare are common. The Caprese salad makes an ideal appetizer or light lunch on a warm day in the Mediterranean region.
The Perfect Combination
Let’s examine the three main ingredients: mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese traditionally made from buffalo milk, although cow’s milk mozzarella is also common. Tomatoes are native to South and Central America, but when Europeans brought them back after exploring the New World, they took to the Mediterranean soil and climate immediately. Basil is native to the Mediterranean region, rounding out the list of ingredients that are inseparable from Italian cuisine. These three ingredients create the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to the mix, and there are no improvements left to be made.
Enjoy Classic Food from the Sandwich Shop
There are many reasons to love Caprese, but our favorite is that it’s perfectly balanced. It has just the right combination of flavors and textures, and we love it on a sandwich. If you’re looking for something light yet flavorful, you have to try our Caprese sandwich.
