Description
Refreshing caprese salad combines sweet Italian melon with salty prosciutto, creating a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Crisp basil leaves and creamy mozzarella complete this elegant summer dish perfect for casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 slices prosciutto (torn into bite-size strips)
- 8 oz (226 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine, drained)
- ½ cantaloupe or honeydew melon (peeled, seeded, cut into bite-size cubes or balls)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (or more to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Compose Platter: Artfully layer translucent cantaloupe and honeydew slices across a pristine serving surface, creating an elegant melon foundation.
- Arrange Elements: Intersperse mozzarella chunks and cherry tomatoes between melon slices, establishing a vibrant color palette and textural contrast.
- Embellish with Prosciutto: Drape gossamer-thin prosciutto pieces across the composed arrangement, allowing them to naturally cascade and fold over the melon and cheese.
- Season and Garnish: Evenly distribute kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then scatter torn basil leaves generously to introduce an aromatic dimension.
- Finalize Presentation: Elegantly zigzag balsamic glaze across the salad, enhancing the dish’s flavor complexity and visual appeal. Briefly chill for 10-15 minutes to harmonize ingredients and achieve a refreshingly cool temperature before serving.
Notes
- Melon Selection: Choose perfectly ripe, fragrant melons that yield slightly when pressed. Overripe or underripe melons will compromise the salad’s delicate flavor balance.
- Prosciutto Precision: Use paper-thin, room temperature prosciutto slices for optimal texture and taste. Cold prosciutto can become tough and lose its delicate melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Mozzarella Matters: Select fresh, high-quality buffalo mozzarella for a creamy, rich texture that complements the sweet melon and salty prosciutto.
- Serving Strategy: Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain the crispness of ingredients and prevent soggy textures. The brief chilling helps meld flavors without compromising ingredient integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg