Regular caprese salads are a classic, but they rely on fresh, in-season tomatoes for their great flavor. A caprese-inspired salad can deliver the same flavor profile that you crave, even when vine tomatoes aren’t in season. Use cherry tomatoes as a more reliable year-round alternative and a pesto dressing that provides that basil kick without having to rely on fresh herbs. Oh, and keep the mozzarella — always keep the mozzarella.

Easy

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Total Time: 10 min

Servings: 1

Ingredients:
Salad:
2-3 cups baby spinach
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup fresh mozzarella, cut to roughly same size as tomatoes
½ tablespoon balsamic reduction, optional
Toasted pine nuts, optional

Pesto dressing:
1 tablespoon store-bought pesto
½ tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Small squeeze fresh lemon juice

Salad Ingredients 1

Photo by Bernard Wen

Directions:
1. Combine spinach, tomatoes and mozzarella in large bowl. Whisk pesto dressing ingredients together then drizzle it and the balsamic reduction over the salad.

Dressing the Salad

Photo by Bernard Wen

2. Toss to distribute dressing evenly and top with pine nuts.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Photo by Bernard Wen