Caprese Salad: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

1.) Traditional: Insalata Caprese (salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad from the Italian region of Campania.
The dish reproduces the colours of the flag of Italy.
Alternately layer slices of garden fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella (my favorite mozz?: Narragansett Creamery's of course!) with basil leaves, sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with your favorite extra virgin olive oil. Serve with a crusty baguette on the side.

2.) Twist: Quarter a pint's worth of cherry tomatoes ( I recently used a colorful assorted pint from Zephyr Farm),
Slice and quarter a ball of fresh mozzarella. Place all into a big bowl, add some shredded basil leaves, salt to taste add some olive oil and stir carefully. Serve at room temperature alongside some grilled chicken or hamburgers.

3.) Tasty: Save some of the previous salad. Pick up pizza dough at your local pizza bakery or grocery store (I get my dough fresh from Sal's in Providence). Preheat your oven to 425. Spray your pizza pan, roll out your dough to fit the pan and place on top. Spread dough with some Pesto (we happened to have some of Jim's homemade Pesto in the fridge) and top the Pesto with the salad. Add some chopped scallions. Bake in the oven for 15-20min. until crust is golden and the cheese is slightly bubbly.

4.) Terrific: My friend Kara LOVES fresh mozzarella so much she would happily eat it every day, in every way. That is until the weather cools enough for her to enjoy her beloved brie! While our kids were having their picnic lunch on the lawn today, we enjoyed a Kara special: Caprese Sandwiches!
Cut 4 slices of foccacia bread and place them in toaster oven just until crunchy.
Slice some fresh mozz, place on top of a slice of foccacia, top with cherry tomatoes, basil and a
little drizzle of olive oil and place the other slice on top.

Four very simple ways to enjoy the bounty of the summer. ENJOY!!!