It is tomato season at your local farmers’ market

Fresh tomatoes paired with fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese make a delightful lunch or a great appetizer.

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —

It is a great time of year to  buy wonderful, just-picked tomatoes at your local farmers’ market. Fresh tomatoes paired with fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese make a delightful lunch or a great appetizer. Just be sure not to use the dry mozzarella; rather, look for mozzarella packed in water.

The following recipe comfortably makes four servings, or may be divided into portions, as needed.

Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) balls fresh buffalo mozzarella
• 4 medium sun-ripened tomatoes, cut into slices
• 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, torn in small pieces
• Extra-virgin olive oil, to taste
• Balsamic vinegar, to taste
• Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Cut mozzarella in slices half the thickness of the tomatoes. Alternate the mozzarella and tomato slices on a salad plate or large serving platter. Sprinkle with basil. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and a light dribble of balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Joanne Henning Tedesco is editor of AzNetNews.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 4, August/September 2005.