This Caprese Salad with Microgreens is a twist on the traditional Italian Caprese Salad. I just love incorporating microgreens. And, with the addition of flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds, aka "super seeds", it makes this salad a healthier alternative.
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Why this recipe works
- Nutritious: Nutritious microgreens and super seeds make this Caprese salad a healthier option.
- Creative: It's definitely not a traditional Caprese salad. If you are serving this to guests, they will definitely be pleasantly surprised with this version.
- Quick and simple: takes very little effort and just about 15 minutes to make! The salad is all about simplicity and showcasing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Ingredients
- Microgreens: I call microgreens "the new trend in nutrition" :). They are loaded with nutrients and are high in antioxidants. They are "small greens" that are harvested before they grow into the full sized vegetable or herb. I used arugula microgreens in this, but there is such a big variety. You can usually find microgreens at your local grocery store and they can include arugula, beats, chard, kale, cilantro, dill, and many other vegetable and herb varieties.
- Seeds: I use hemp, flax, and chia seeds. The trilogy mix! They're rich in fiber, Omega 3's, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals.
- Mozzarella Cheese: choose soft Mozzarella ball packed in water.
- Tomatoes: choose ripe, red tomatoes. Heirloom beefsteak tomatoes work well. But you can use any ripe tomato. It's best to choose tomatoes that can be sliced into similar sized rounds as the Mozzarella cheese rounds.
*** for full ingredient list and quantities see recipe card at the end of this post
Substitutions and variations
- Seeds: you can also use sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
- Fresh Basil Leaves: basil leaves add that traditional Caprese salad flavor and fragrance to the dish. You can fresh leaves in addition to the microgreens.
- Pomegranate seeds: drizzle a little bit of pomegrante seeds as a final touch, to garnish. The deep red color looks pretty over the mictogreens. Plus, it adds a little tart and sweet flavor.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare the microgreens salad
In a medium mixing bowl mix together the microgreens, the seeds, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
STEP 2: Slice the Cheese and tomatoes
Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes on a cutting board, into approximately 1/4 inch thick rounds.
STEP 3: Arrange the ingredients
When ready to serve, arrange the cheese on a platter, place the tomato slices on top of each cheese slice and top with about 1 tablespoon of the microgreens salad.
STEP 3:
Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Serve immediately.
Top Tips
- Choose Ripe Tomatoes: Use ripe (but not overly ripe), tomatoes for the best flavor. If possible, pick tomatoes that are in season for optimal taste.
- Serve Fresh: Caprese salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly to maintain the freshness and texture of the ingredients. Don't prepare it too far in advance.
- To prevent excess moisture in your salad, be sure to gently blot each slice of Mozzarella cheese with a paper towel before assembling the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Caprese salad is traditionally made with fresh Mozarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and some salt. It is then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Some people like to add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a slightly tangy and sweet contrast.
No, Caprese salad and bruschetta are two distinct Italian dishes, although they do share some similarities. Both dishes use fresh basil and tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and, sometimes, baslamic vinegar. But, the primary difference between the two is that Caprese salad is a cold salad made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basilwhile bruschetta is an appetizer made with toasted bread and topped with a variety of ingredients, including tomatoes.
Here are some common reasons why your Caprese salad might be watery:
Tomatoes: Overly ripe tomatoes release more moisture. Also, if you slice your tomatoes too thinly or unevenly, they can release excess juice into the salad.
Mozzarella Moisture: Fresh mozzarella cheese can sometimes be quite moist. Make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel before assembling the salad.
Excessive Olive Oil and or Balsamic Vinegar : using too much can lead to an overly liquid salad.
Seasoning: Salt can draw moisture out of tomatoes. If you use salt, make sure to season your salad just before serving.
If you notice excess moisture in your salad, you can gently drain it to minimize the liquid on the plate.
Serving suggestions
Serve Caprese salad on individual plates. This allows each guest to enjoy their portion without disturbing the arrangement. Or, arrange the mozzarella, tomato slices, and the microgreens in an alternating pattern on a large serving platter. This is a classic and visually appealing way to present the salad.
Serve the salad with a meat dish, like these Super Easy Sautéed Chicken Thighs or a seafood dish, like our Pan Seared Salmon with Vegetables. Try it with some Easy 3-ingredient Baked Potato Wedges for a complete meal.
Storing suggestions
Storing the salad can be a bit tricky because it's best enjoyed fresh. Try to consume it within a day or two of preparation. However, if you have leftovers or need to store it for a short period store the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If possible, store the tomato slices, mozzarella cheese, and the microgreens separately in airtight containers. This helps maintain the freshness and texture of each ingredient. Assemble the salad just before serving.
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Recipe
Caprese Salad With Microgreens
Ingredients
- 2 cups micro greens of your choice
- 1 teaspoon flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese 2 fresh mozzarella balls - at room temperature
- 2-3 large tomatoes beefsteak tomato is best
- balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the microgreens salad: In a medium mixing bowl mix together the microgreens, the seeds, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Slice the tomatoes:Slice tomatoes on a cutting board, into 10 round slices - approximately 1/4 inch thick. Set them aside to release juices, to remove excess water.
- Slice the mozzarella:Slice cheese on a cutting board (away from the sliced tomato juices), into 10 round slices - approximately 1/4 inch thick. Pat dry each slice of mozzarella to get rid of any excess moisture.
- Arrange the ingredients:When ready to serve, arrange the cheese on a platter, place the tomato slices on top of each cheese slice, and top with about 1 tablespoon of the microgreen salad. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Notes
- Use ripe (but not overly ripe), tomatoes for the best flavor. If possible, pick tomatoes that are in season for optimal taste.
- Caprese salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly to maintain the freshness and texture of the ingredients. Don't prepare it too far in advance.
- To prevent excess moisture in your salad, be sure to gently blot each slice of Mozzarella cheese with a paper towel before assembling the dish.
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Try to have tomato slices match the size of the mozzarella slices.
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