Name: Heart Shaped Caprese Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 vine tomatoes, thinly sliced into 11 slices; 10 basil leaves or mint leaves; 10 slices bocconcini cheese (200 grams); 2 slices Provolone cheese; 1 pinch salt, to taste; 1 drizzle olive oil, to taste; 1 drizzle balsamic glaze, to taste

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Introduction

This Heart Shaped Caprese Salad is a delightful twist on a classic favorite, perfect for special occasions or a romantic meal. Combining fresh tomatoes, creamy bocconcini, and fragrant basil, it’s both visually stunning and deliciously fresh.

This dish shows a heart shape made with alternating layers of red tomato slices and white mozzarella cheese slices on a white plate. Each tomato slice lies under a mozzarella slice, topped with a bright green mint leaf and a small heart-shaped piece of white cheese. Drizzles of dark balsamic glaze and golden olive oil decorate the layers, adding shine and contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 vine tomatoes, sliced into 11 thin pieces
10 slices bocconcini cheese (about 200 grams)
10 basil leaves or mint leaves
2 slices Provolone cheese
Pinch of salt, to taste
Drizzle of olive oil, to taste
Drizzle of balsamic glaze, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Wash and dry the tomatoes thoroughly. Cut each tomato into 5 to 6 thin slices and set them aside.
Step 2: Slice the bocconcini cheese into thin pieces that will be easy to layer with the tomatoes.
Step 3: Arrange the tomato and bocconcini slices so that they overlap, shaping them into a large heart on your serving plate.
Step 4: Add the basil or mint leaves scattered on top for fresh flavor and an attractive presentation.
Step 5: Stack the Provolone cheese slices, then cut out about 12 mini heart shapes using a small cookie cutter or knife.
Step 6: Place the mini Provolone hearts delicately over the arranged tomatoes and bocconcini.
Step 7: Season with a pinch of salt, then drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze evenly over the salad.
Step 8: Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors at their best.

Tips & Variations

For a sweeter touch, try adding a few cherry tomato halves along with the vine tomatoes.
Use fresh basil for a classic flavor or substitute with mint for a refreshing twist.
If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, use a small knife to carefully carve the Provolone slices into heart shapes.
Drizzle good quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the overall flavor.

Storage

This salad is best served fresh and should be eaten immediately for optimal taste and texture. If you need to store it, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Avoid adding the olive oil and balsamic glaze until just before serving to maintain freshness.

How to Serve

The image shows four skewers arranged vertically on a white round plate, each skewer contains three layers: a green basil leaf on one end, a round white mozzarella ball in the middle, and a bright red heart-shaped tomato at the opposite end, all with a smooth texture. Dark brown balsamic glaze is drizzled over the skewers and the plate, creating shiny droplets and streaks that contrast with the clean white plate. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese besides bocconcini and Provolone?

Yes, fresh mozzarella works well in place of bocconcini, and you can experiment with mild cheeses that slice well for the mini hearts, but keep flavors mild to not overpower the salad.

How do I make the heart shapes without a cookie cutter?

You can carefully cut small heart shapes with a sharp knife by first cutting the cheese into squares and then rounding off the tops and tapering the bottom point, or simply create a heart shape freehand on the plate using the slices.