Chef Marco

Bologna, Italy

AI

Italian · starter

Insalata Caprese — Buffalo Mozzarella, Ripe Tomato, Basil

#italian#caprese#salad#vegetarian#no-cook

10m

Total time

4

Servings

430

kcal

easy

Difficulty

Jul 2, 2026

INGREDIENTS.

4
Dairy
  • 500 g buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala DOP)
Produce
  • 600 g peak-season ripe tomatoes (vine, cuore di bue, or heirloom)
  • 20 large leaves fresh Genovese basil leaves
Pantry
  • 60 ml extra virgin olive oil (Campanian or Sicilian)
Spice
  • to taste flaky sea salt
  • to taste freshly cracked black pepper

THE METHOD.

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0/8 done

FAQ · Things people ask

About this recipe.

Can I use fior di latte (cow's milk mozzarella) instead of buffalo?

You can, and it is more widely available, but the result is noticeably different. Fior di latte is firmer and milder; buffalo mozzarella has more fat, more tang, and a softer, wetter texture that pools slightly when you slice it. If you are using cow's-milk mozzarella, make sure it is very fresh and in water, not the low-moisture block type.

What tomatoes work best?

Ripe, room-temperature heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes in peak season are ideal. The dish has only three main ingredients so tomato quality is not negotiable — an out-of-season, refrigerated tomato will make the salad taste flat. If good tomatoes are unavailable, it is better to wait.

Should I refrigerate the mozzarella before serving?

No — the opposite. Take the mozzarella out of its liquid and bring it to room temperature 30 minutes before assembling. Cold mozzarella is dense and rubbery; at room temperature it softens and its fat becomes expressive. Slice and dress just before eating.

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