Ina, Ina, Ina !!! Now she’s a true rock star! Seriously, you need to cook something, for some reason, with a recipe you’ve never tried? Who ya gonna call…Ina Garten. Oh yea. You know it’s going to come out great even without a dress rehearsal. Cuz we’re taking Ina. That’s why she’s a rock star. If I ever met her I think I’d quake in my boots or whatever footwear I happen to be donning.
I love roasted tomato caprese salad. I mean LOVE it. Before I moved to Socal I had a garden devoted to serious tomato growing and the primary purpose of growing them was for this salad. Now I live in an almost gardenless Socal home and I long for my favorite salad fix. Not only do I not have my incredible garden bounty, but it’s winter right now.
Tomatoes, in general, have virtually no flavor. Who ya gonna call…Ina Garten. That’s right with the wave of her “Ina” she has created a winter-style Caprese Salad that not only rivals the fabulous original but improves on it in many ways.
This is now my must-have salad for any time that vine-ripe, perfect tomatoes, aren’t available. I hope you try it and enjoy it!
Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Garlic
- Sugar
- Salt & Pepper
- Mozzarella
- Basil
How to Store and Make Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Sliced tomatoes can last in the fridge for 3 days.
- Make-Ahead Tips: The tomatoes can be roasted a day ahead and slice the mozzarella ahead and should be stored separately. Assemble this salad the day you’ll serve it.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
More Appetizer Recipes…
- Cowboy Caviar
- Simple Roasted Peppers
- Shrimp Spread
- Tabbouleh Salad
- Herbed Cheese Polenta
- Goat Cheese With Olives, Lemon, And Thyme
- Labni
- Baked Brie En Croute With Apples And Walnuts
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 12 plum tomatoes halved lengthwise, seeded and cored
- 1/4 cup good quality olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 16 ounces fresh Mozzarella salted
- 12 fresh basil leaves julienned
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275ºF (135ºC).
- Arrange tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut side up, in a single layer. Drizzle with olive (1/4 cup) oil and balsamic vinegar (1 1/2 tablespoons).
- Sprinkle with garlic (4 cloves), sugar (2 teaspoons), 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 2 hours until the tomatoes are concentrated and begin to caramelize. Allow tomatoes to cool to room temperature.
- Cut the mozzarella into slices slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. If the slices of mozzarella are larger than the tomatoes, cut them in half so they are approximately the same size. Layer the tomatoes alternately with the mozzarella on a platter and scatter the basil on top. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil ( I didn't do this cuz I didn't want the extra calories and it was still fabulous ). Serve at room temperature.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
Source: Ina Garten
Sue says
No one does it better then our Ina…this salad lookd amazing and I have heard that by roasted tomatoes this time of year it brings back their flavor…I will have to try this as we love tomatoes and mozzeralla….Her show today was great…she made this wonderful looking French toasted sandwich things served up with a little salad…I Love Ina!!!
Kiki says
that tomato caprese looks amazing. one of my favs. i just might attempt that. oh, who am i kidding? i stink in the kitchen. thanks for stopping by my blog. i think you are right about the crock-pot and i think i will take the plunge. take care.
A Year on the Grill says
This makes me miss my grill… I have a grilling recipe similar to this, topped with grilled peppers…
Ah, summer memories, when there is 10 inches of snow and 5 degrees cold outside
sigh
Rosabela says
Hello beautiful Kathleen! I saw this recipe on your blog this morning and in the afternoon I went out and bought the ingredients! I'm dying to try it within the next day or two. I love Ina's recipes. I haven't had any fail on me yet. 🙂
teresa says
i'm with you! love the caprese combo, i make it whenever i can. i've never done it this way though, but i will! fantastic!
zegliano says
perfect way to use up those nasty winter tomatoes from the supermarket. will have to try. thanks for sharing!
allison
@
http://lastbite.blogspot.com
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
DAMN gorgeous!! WOW love the presentation and I know that taste matches! I am a huge Ina fan love all her books and her anything she makes is amazing! She would be impressed by this one for sure!
Jhonny walker says
That is one gorgeous dish! gorgeous…the colors and the flavors!! OMG
Sook says
Ina Garten is also my favorite!! She's so awesome! This year, I want to try more of her recipes. Your salad looks so delicious!
Natashya KitchenPuppies says
Love it! Ina is my fave too, my son and I lined up for 5+ hours a couple of years ago to meet her at a book signing. She is so beautiful.
Great recipe!
Barbara Bakes says
I wasn't a huge caprese salad lover until my trip to Italy and now I'm a convert and need to try this version!
Krista says
Ooooh! I love caprese salad too! I've never tried it with roasted tomatoes. It sounds absolutely wonderful!
Donna-FFW says
OMG!! This is absolutely my favorite type of salad.. I am so trying this soon, it looks absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!
girlichef says
Oh beautiful! I love caprese…and roasting is the perfect cure for winter tomatoes 🙂
Fresh Local and Best says
Kathleen – This looks so good! What a great idea to roast the tomatoes!
Monique-aka-Surferwife23 says
I love Caprese. LOVE IT. And it looks super good with the roasted tomatoes, too!
Jamie Cooks It Up! says
Boy that looks good. I can't wait until it's summer here in Salt Lake City and I have a ton of garden tomatoes and basil to use!
Peter M says
This is absoulutely gorgeous and no doubt delicious. I roast otherwise bland winter tomatoes…works every time.
deb says
yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Candy Girl says
Ina is my rock star too! Your caprese looks delicious!