My Daughter's Tomato/Mozzarella Salad Stacked with My Homegrown Basil

I've been working on a container garden including herbs.  So far, my basil is my biggest herb success.  I moved most of my herbs to my courtyard because I needed more plants there. However, my courtyard is mostly shaded.  I know herbs need a lot of sun, so I keep watching where the sun is coming in and I keep moving the herbs.  My basil plant is doing so well probably because it's still on my porch which gets a lot of sun.  I wonder if I'll give in and move all the herbs to the porch...I'm pretty determined to keep the majority of them in the courtyard, so we'll see.  If you feel you have any advice on growing herbs, please share it!

                                             Isn't It Gorgeous!

                And this is after I stole a large stem for propagation!

If you're looking for an easy, light and delicious salad that makes a fantastic presentation, you'll love...

MY DAUGHTER'S VERSION OF CAPRESE SALAD

Ingredients (Per Serving)

• 1 fresh tomato (I used a vine-ripe tomato* in the photos; my daughter typically uses Roma)
• approx. 3 slices of fresh Mozzarella cheese ball (approx. 2 1/2 oz.)
• approx. 3-4 large, fresh basil leaves + 1 for plate garnish (approx. 3-5 total)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• balsamic vinegar

Directions 

1. Wash (under cool water) and dry the tomato and pat dry the basil leaves.
2. Slice the tomato and the cheese into approx. 1/4" slices.
3. Stack or overlap (repeating until one tomato is used) in this order: one tomato slice--add salt & pepper, cheese, basil leaf.*  End with a tomato slice and, if you like, a basil leaf.
4. Lightly sprinkle the vinegar over the salad.
5. Garnish the plate with a basil leaf.

*Tips:  If you can use homegrown tomatoes, all the better!  If you elect to stack the salad, secure the first layer with a toothpick and use additional ones as you need while you stack. (I probably used three toothpicks in the photo of the stacked salad.)

While I was photographing the stacked salad in my courtyard, a big bolt of lightning frightened me! The layered salad was photographed inside!

                                        Beautiful Stacked!

     (Without the basil leaf on top and before the vinegar was added.)

                           Even Easier and Also Impressive Layered!

           (With the basil leaf on top and after the vinegar was added.)

Great, a dish you can enjoy with no guilt!

Printable Recipe