Crispy Caprese Salad
A modern (and crispy!) riff on a classic Italian Caprese salad, this recipe highlights heirloom tomatoes and melty, gooey burrata cheese. Delicious!
Caprese salad is a staple dish at any Italian feast, and for good reason! It is a perfect combination of salty, creamy, sweet and herbaceous flavours. This recipe is a modern and fun twist on the classic, featuring everything that makes a Caprese salad delicious – but even tastier!
Needing under 10 ingredients and coming together in under 30 minutes, this is an almost effortless dish to make.
If you try this recipe, let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. To view our recipe video on Instagram click here. Happy cooking!
Ingredients for a crispy Caprese salad
Burrata
Deliciously creamy and light at the same time, burrata is a cut above the typical mozzarella. Burrata comprises both mozzarella cheese and cream and is the star of any great Caprese salad. We coat the burrata in panko breadcrumbs and fry it briefly – just enough to crisp the outside and render the inside melty and oozy.
Tomatoes
Any tomatoes will work, so use your favourite! Here, we’ve used a mix of colourful heirloom tomatoes for visual interest and yummy flavour.
Basil
Fresh basil leaves are an indispensable component in our salad. Basil adds herbaceousness and freshness, transforming a plate of tomatoes and cheese into a Caprese salad.
Olive oil
A good glug of flavourful extra virgin olive oil is the way to add Italian flavour to this salad. We use olive oil here in the tangy tomato dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Caprese salad?
Caprese or insalata Caprese is an Italian salad comprising tomatoes, mozzarella or burrata and basil leaves. It coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) perfectly represents the colours of the Italian flag through the colours of its ingredients (red, white and green). Traditionally, a Caprese is served drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
This salad should ideally be made and served shortly thereafter. Tomatoes don’t refrigerate too well and will lose their crisp texture over time. For the best flavour and authentic presentation, serve at room temperature with the hot and melty burrata in the middle.
Crispy Caprese Salad
- Total Time: < 30 Minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A modern (and crispy!) riff on a classic Italian Caprese salad, this recipe highlights heirloom tomatoes and melty, gooey burrata cheese. Delicious!
Ingredients
Salad
- 600g mixed tomatoes – use dark red summer tomatoes, for best results. Try using a variety of sizes and colours (vine tomatoes, green, yellow etc.)
- 25g basil
- salt, olive oil and pepper
Tomato dressing
- 1–2 Tbsp reserved tomato liquid
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Crispy burrata
- 125g ball burrata
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 40g panko
Instructions
- Remove the burrata from its packaging. Drain the brine, pat dry, and toss in flour. Dip the burrata into the beaten egg and roll in panko crumbs. Place in the freezer for roughly 15 minutes.
- Remove the stems from the tomatoes and cut them into slices. Place the sliced tomatoes into a colander over a bowl and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. The salt will helop season the tomatoes and bring out their lovely natural flavour. Reserve the juices from the tomatoes for the dressing. Pick the basil from the stems.
- Whisk the reserved tomato juice (1-2 tablespoons) with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a small, high-walled saucepan or pot with about 4-5cm of oil. Place on the heat at 190 degrees C to preheat.
- Remove the burrata from the freezer. Fry the crumbed burrata in the oil at 190 degrees C until the burrata is golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway.
- Place the cheese onto a mesh rack to allow any excess oil to drain away. Sprinkle generously with salt.
- Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a serving platter along with the basil. Drizzle over the dressing.
- Break open the crispy burrata and allow the cheese to spread across the platter. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: < 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: < 20 Minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 591.16kcal
- Sugar: 9.53g
- Sodium: 1235.73mg
- Fat: 41.3g
- Saturated Fat: 15.05g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19.21g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Carbohydrates: 35.82g
- Fiber: 4.3g
- Protein: 16.97g
- Cholesterol: 136.87mg
