Start with your basics:
Tomatoes (Grape Tomatoes, Campari Tomatoes, Tomatoes on the Vine, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes - you pick)
Less Sodium Mozzarella Cheese (RD tip - look in your supermarket for the individual "snacking cheeses" for Mutz, makes controlling your portion a lot easier, it is the perfect size!)
Basil Leaves
Salt - to taste
Drizzle with Olive or even Truffle Oil if you want to go cray & Balsamic Vinegar or Balsamic Glaze
Then each night you make it add one of these secret weapons to the basics and the salad will taste brand new and oh so #happyslimhealthy
1.) Roasted Butternut Squash --> sounds weird but it is so great, adds something so different to this salad and it is almost squash season!
2.) Strawberries, Blueberries or Blackberries - you pick or do a mixture of all three berries
3.) Avocado & Cucumber - adds more crunch & creaminess
4.) Quinoa, Farro, Wheat Berries or even Brown Rice - add 1/2 cup of any ancient grain to the typical Caprese salad and this could turn into a complete meal! (To make this even more fun....add sautéed red onions too!)
5.) And finally, before nectarine and peach season is over - cut and grill one and mix it into your mix.
I miss summer & all of its fun food already. But hey apple and pumpkin season is ahead of us! I will have lots of recipes coming your way for my all time favorite food(ie) season!
- Jenna A. Stock, RD