It’s the peak of summertime, the heat lingering day after day, that soothing ultra-relaxed “let’s kick back”, celebrate this slowness — live it slowly and fully like Mother Nature intends….the kind of days I live for. In the truth it’s the mentality and lifestyle I wish everyday of the year was more like. More laidback. More purposeful and mindful. Less go-go-go, less “have to do’s”, “need to do’s” — “sorry I’ve got no time for that”. When you do. We all do. Oh sweet, sweet summertime, yes I welcome your hot and humid days, your hours of sun and blue skies, the birds and bees humming about, the butterflies fluttering, and the lush green and bountiful gardens flourishing with daily harvests of the best, of the best of what the season and Mother Nature has to offer us to savor and enjoy.
Some of my all-time favorite foods shine like the most beautiful and rarest gems come summertime, and when they’re in season, I don’t have eyes for anything else. When Summer strolls along there are about 5 different foods that I could eat every, single, day and be the happiest little peach there was. Juicy honey ripe Peaches, sweet tangy Tomatoes, herbaceous mellow earthy Basil, pretty green and dainty Green Beans, and you sexy hydrating sweet and mouthwatering Watermelon!! Yes, it’s a love affair, an infatuation if you will. I’d eat these foods everyday and be happy as can be, never getting bored or tired of their flavors, Because that is the beauty of each of them. On their own they stand out, blended together they’re killer and easily transformative — seasoned and flavored as many ways as the beautiful mind is inspired to!!
And come July and August, it’s quite certain you’ll find me eating one of these foods, especially watermelon. I crave it like nothing else. Thick chilled slices sending the body into a delightful fret of chills, crushed so effortlessly into a refreshing cocktail or dressed into a lovely salad. And this Watermelon Caprese salad combination is my absolute go-to summer dish. I could eat a variation of it everyday and be more than satisfied, and I’m sure you will be just as hooked too!
On days you don’t want to cook, days it’s too hot to even eat real food — this is what you should make! Having a few friends over for a low-key outdoor get-together or having an effortless al fresco soiree {when we can safely have them next year!} — this what you should absolutely serve!
I love that this recipe is of course quick and simple to make, but more so that you can use whatever flavors you prefer, and interchangeably use your favorite summer produce. But this, this combination is heavenly!
It’s odd to think of having cheese always on hand during summer, but it’s the best tip I can give you! An easy but delicious cheese board is always a filling yet light lunch or dinner when it’s too hot to do much else. It’s great to serve and prep for others, and fresh mozzarella or burrata is always on hand in my fridge for summer caprese salads…
Don’t’ really know what a Caprese salad is?? It’s origins stem from the beautiful southern Italian, Isle of Capri. I’m not surprised that such a beautiful place would create a stunning and flavor packed dish celebrating the best of summer’s produce — ripe tomatoes, sweet basil, fresh creamy mozzarella and a drizzle of umami balsamic and sesame oil. The sesame oil is what absolutely makes this my favorite dishes ever! I’ve actually been blending balsamic and sesame oil for the last several months and I can’t stop, it’s addictively amazing — subtle yet full of flavor. Both the balsamic and sesame oil are complex and compliant each other beautifully…..Making this salad the simplest yet most flavorful combinations of ingredients!
And for me, it’s the most versatile, nature driven, whole dishes there could possibly be!
This salad is beautifully delicious and hearty on its own, but it’s just as lovely served alongside a fresh herbed grilled fish, like halibut, grouper or cod, or even chicken breast, if you eat meat.
The addition of fresh, juicy peaches and refreshing sweet watermelon make for a sweet twist on this classic tomato and fresh mozzarella caprese salad! No need for a complicated dressing, a beautiful drizzle of high quality balsamic vinegar, some amazing extra virgin olive oil and a dashing of fresh cracked black and cayenne pepper. Divine!
Peaches and Tomatoes really are a stone fruit lover dream! I can’t quite explain why these are some of my favorite foods, yes I eat tomatoes like peaches and peaches as effortlessly as an apple — and don’t you dare give me anything artificially peach flavored. I’m not having it.
This watermelon, tomato and peach caprese salad is a celebration summer. A celebration of nature and all its amazing colors, scents, but especially its flavors.
I’m promising you once you make and devour this salad, you will crave it for every meal as I do. It really is the best of summer’s flavors, and undesirable fresh and savor-full dish {Savorful? is that a word?? Because it feel it’s the best description of the taste and emotion you get from this dish
If you’re a fan of traditional caprese salad, then you will want to add this slightly sweeter, peachy version to your summer recipes list asap! Peach season won’t last forever and we’d really hate for you to miss out on the best caprese salad recipe ever!
Watermelon, Peach + Tomato Caprese Salad
{Serves 6}
Ingredients
2 – Ripe peaches, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
2 large – Heirloom tomatoes {or 1lb Cherry Tomatoes}, cut into 1/2 inch slices {or in half, if cherry tomatoes}
1/2 large {about 3 or 4 cups} – Watermelon, rind removed + cut into 1 inch pieces
Large handful Fresh Basil
8 oz – Fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
Balsamic Vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sesame Oil
Fine Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Dash of Cayenne Pepper, optional
Recipe
On a large platter {or plate if making an individual serving}, arrange the watermelon pieces. Then arrange the peach and tomato slices atop. Next layer the fresh mozzarella, basil leaves {you can roughly chop them if you prefer}, the sprinkle with the sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Finish with a hearty drizzle of good quality extra virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic vinegar and Sesame Oil to taste. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Another great variation of the Watermelon Salad is … Watermelon, Plums, Baby Spinach, a drizzle of Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Sesame Oil and Sprinkle of Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, then finish with Fresh Basil leaves and Pumpkin Seeds
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