A vibrant dish featuring ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze arranged in a starfish form.
# What You Need:
→ Produce
01 - 3 large ripe tomatoes
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, mixed colors (optional)
03 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
→ Cheese
04 - 9 oz fresh mozzarella, bocconcini or ciliegine preferred
→ Condiments
05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
→ Seasonings
07 - Sea salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Cut large tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
02 - Place tomato slices on a large platter in a starfish pattern.
03 - Halve cherry tomatoes and scatter evenly over the tomato slices for color and texture.
04 - Drain and slice mozzarella if using larger balls; otherwise, use bocconcini or ciliegine whole and nestle among tomato slices.
05 - Tuck fresh basil leaves between tomato and mozzarella pieces ensuring even distribution.
06 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly over the assembled ingredients, then add balsamic glaze.
07 - Sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
08 - Present immediately; garnish optionally with additional basil or edible flowers.
