Valentine Heart Caprese Salad (Print View)
An elegant, easy starter featuring heart-shaped mozzarella and tomatoes, perfect for a romantic occasion or special gathering.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Dairy
03 - 7 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4-inch thick
→ Herbs
04 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
→ Dressing
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut heart shapes from both the mozzarella slices and the large tomato slices.
02 - Artfully arrange the heart-shaped tomato and mozzarella pieces alternately on a serving platter. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves around the arranged hearts.
03 - Evenly drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze over the entire assembled salad.
04 - Season the salad with a generous sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
05 - Present and serve the Valentine Heart Caprese Salad promptly as a romantic appetizer.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's an instant charmer; everyone lights up when they see these little heart shapes.
- You get all the fresh, vibrant flavors of a classic Caprese but with a playful, elegant presentation that feels really special.
02 -
- The quality of your tomatoes and mozzarella truly makes or breaks this salad; fresh is always best.
- Chilling your mozzarella slightly before cutting makes it much easier to get clean, crisp heart shapes without tearing.
03 -
- To prevent your balsamic glaze from pooling, warm it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to make it thinner and easier to drizzle delicately.
- For extra vibrancy, use a mix of red and yellow cherry tomatoes; the color contrast against the white mozzarella and green basil is absolutely stunning.