Heart Shaped Caprese Salad Recipe
This elegant Heart Shaped Caprese Salad is a fresh and visually stunning appetizer combining vine tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, and aromatic basil leaves arranged into a charming heart shape. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze, it’s perfect for romantic occasions or a beautiful starter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 vine tomatoes (cut into 11 thin slices)
- 10 slices bocconcini cheese (200 grams)
- 10 basil leaves (or mint leaves)
- 2 slices Provolone cheese
- 1 pinch salt (to taste)
- 1 drizzle olive oil (to taste)
- 1 drizzle balsamic glaze (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Wash and dry the tomatoes thoroughly. Slice each tomato into 5-6 thin slices and set aside carefully.
- Slice Bocconcini: Cut the bocconcini cheese into thin slices similar to the tomatoes for easy layering.
- Arrange Tomato and Bocconcini Layers: On a serving plate, alternately overlap the tomato and bocconcini slices to form a large heart shape, ensuring the slices fit snugly together.
- Add Basil Leaves: Place fresh basil or mint leaves atop the tomato and cheese heart arrangement for freshness and color.
- Create Mini Cheese Hearts: Stack the two slices of Provolone cheese and cut out approximately 12 mini heart shapes using a small cookie cutter or knife.
- Decorate with Mini Cheese Hearts: Arrange the mini Provolone hearts over the main heart-shaped salad attractively as shown in the reference photo.
- Season the Salad: Sprinkle a small pinch of salt evenly over the tomatoes and bocconcini. Then drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze to taste, enhancing the flavors and adding a glossy finish.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors at their best.
Notes
- Use ripe vine tomatoes for the best flavor and color.
- Bocconcini can be substituted with fresh mozzarella if desired.
- Mint leaves provide a different flavor profile; basil is the traditional choice.
- Balsamic glaze adds a sweet tangy finish; use sparingly to avoid overpowering.
- To maintain freshness, assemble just before serving.
Keywords: Caprese Salad, Heart Shaped Salad, Italian Salad, Vegetarian Appetizer, Fresh Tomato Salad, Bocconcini Cheese, Basil
