At the time of year when tomatoes are delicious and at their best, we should highlight the popular fruit. Today, tomato season brings with it many great dishes that span the continents. Most people will get a lustful look in their eyes if someone serves them a slow simmered tomato Bolognese that took hours, but no one has time to do that on a regular basis. Sometimes the simplest preparation is the very best way to highlight the beauty and complexity of the “Love Apple.” Every time I see a grocery display of heirloom tomatoes that is exactly what comes to mind. In my head I say, “You all look like a bunch of gnarly apples, but I love you more than you’ll ever know!”

Heirloom Tomatoes are wonderfully vibrant variations of your standard varieties of tomatoes.  There are around ten genetic mutations in the structure of the tomato that cause all the varieties of heirloom tomato you see. They are extra juicy, pungent, and vivid. This reason is why heirlooms are the perfect tomato to make a delicious Caprese Salad.

To serve the best possible salad, pick tomatoes that are still firm but give slightly. If you can smell its fragrance slightly, that is even better!  Put him in the cart and take that deliciousness home with you, make all the other housewives jealous.

The other ingredients are all important as well. Don’t waste the beautiful Heirlooms, picked at the peak of ripeness, by pouring cheap vinegar and olive oil on top of them. A good extra virgin olive oil that is made for dipping is great; it should have a slightly nutty taste and a light bitterness. The balsamic vinegar should be at least 25 Years old and barrel-aged. You can tell the age of the vinegar much the same way as wine, it will have legs that travel down the inside of the bottle. Syrupy and velvety smooth will equal scrumptious.

Heirloom Caprese Salad

3-4 Ripe Heirloom Tomatoes, various varieties in different colors.

1 Lb of Fresh Mozzarella, sliced ¼ inch thick.

8 Fresh Basil Leaves, washed, patted dry, sliced down the rib

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar, 25 years or older

Kosher Salt

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Procedure:

1. Rinse, dry, and hull your tomatoes. After the tomatoes are hulled, using a serrated or tomato knife, slice the tomatoes into ¼ inch thick slices.
2. Begin assembling the salad by placing a slice of tomato onto the serving platter. Follow the tomato slice with one half of a basil leaf and then top the leaf with a slice of cheese. Repeat this process, alternating the color of tomato with each repeat, until everything is used.
3. Drizzle the tomato mixture with the balsamic and then the olive oil.
4. Finally, season the salad with a sprinkle of kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper.