Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

  • 12 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, seeds (not cores) removed
  • 1/4 cup good olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 16 ounces fresh salted mozzarella
  • 12 fresh basil leaves, julienned

 

 Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.

 

Arrange the tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut sides up, in a single layer. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with the garlic, sugar, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Roast for 2 hours until the tomatoes are concentrated and begin to caramelize. Allow the tomatoes to cool to room temperature.

 

Cut the mozzarella into slices slightly less than ½ inch thick. If the slices of mozzarella are larger than the tomatoes, cut the mozzarella slices in half. Layer the tomatoes alternately with the mozzarella on a platter and scatter the basil on top. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Serve at room temperature.

 

 

 

TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA SUB SANDWICH

  • 1# fresh mozzarella

  • 4-6 T garlic vinaigrette

  • 1 loaf of baguette bread, sliced lengthwise and bread removed

  • 1-2 firm ripe Roma tomatoes

  • Shredded lettuce

Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar

  • 1-2 large garlic cloves

  • 1 T. shallots chopped

  • ½ t. dried oregano or marjoram

  • 2 T chopped parsley

  • ¾ cup olive oil

Brush insides of baguette with vinaigrette.  Slice tomatoes and cheese and layer in bottom cavity.  Sprinkle with vinaigrette.  Cover with shredded lettuce.  Close lid and wrap in foil for an hour or so.