Recipe - Grilled Caprese Salad with Villa Manodori Aceto Balsamico di Modena “Artiginale”, Essenziale Garlic and Black Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oils

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Grilled Caprese Salad with Villa Manodori Aceto Balsamico di Modena “Artiginale”, Essenziale Garlic and Black Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oils

There are so many heirloom and new hybrid varieties of cherry and grape tomatoes on the market these days. Use a mix of shapes and colors in this salad for visual appeal and flavor . Same holds true for the wide range of basils. Experiment with colors and textures. Add the basil just before you serve the salad as the acid in the vinegar and any residual heat will make it discolor.

Ingredients:

1 pound cherry tomatoes
8 ounces ciliegine mozzarella
1 tablespoon Villa Manodori Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Villa Manodori Essenziale Black Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Villa Manodori Essenziale Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Villa Manodori "Artigianale" Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP
A couple of good pinches of Esprit du Sel Fleur de Sel
Basil to your heart’s content, cut into chiffonade if the leaves are large

Preparation:

Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4

Soak the bamboo skewers in water for a ½ hour. Preheat the grill to medium. Skewers the tomatoes. Set on a baking sheet. Thread the ciliegine onto skewers. Set alongside the tomatoes on the sheet pan.
Combine the three extra virgin olive oils in the bowl from which you will serve the salad. Brush the skewers lightly with oil.Grill the tomatoes for 3 -4 minute then turn them and grill for another 3 -4 minute. While the tomatoes grill, add the balsamic vinegar to the oil in the bowl and whisk to emulsify. When the tomatoes start to burst, remove them from the heat. Turn the heat to “High”. Grill the cheese for one minute and then flip it for another minute.
Leave them on the skewers and lightly drizzle the components with the dressing. Add a generous pinch of Fleur de Sel, then sprinkle over the basil.