Ingredients

For the basil oil

1/2 standard pack

fresh basil leaves

1 tsp

garlic salt

A squeeze

lemon juice

2-4 tbsp

extra virgin olive oil

For the salad

3-4

ripe tomatoes, medium, sliced into 1/4 inch slices

buffalo mozzarella ball, sliced into 1/4 inch slices

1/2 standard pack

fresh basil leaves

to taste

flaky sea salt (such as fleur de sel)

to taste

freshly cracked black pepper

a sprinkling

Urfa chill flakes

2 tbsp

extra virgin olive oil

to serve

ciabatta bread

edible flowers, optional

"Caprese salad is the salad of dreams. It takes 5 minutes to prepare, is full of classic favours and simply bursting with goodness! My version also has a delicious basil oil drizzled over the salad which further enhances the flavour. Bellissima!"

Many thanks to Nikibakes for the delicious recipe.

Method

Simply blitz all the ingredients in a food processor or use a pestle and mortar to make the basil oil.
Place the tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter. Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter in an alternating pattern.
Top with the basil leaves. Scatter the basil leaves over the tomatoes and mozzarella.
Season with flaky salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of flaky salt, Urfa chilli flakes and cracked black pepper, to taste.
Drizzle with the basil oil and edible flowers. Drizzle the basil oil (and extra virgin olive oil for added flavour) and garnish with your edible flowers over the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Serve immediately.