Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

Just a quick little post for a quick little salad……. Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato
Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

It’s Saturday and after my favorite thing in the world……almost……..buying groceries, I needed little lunch. I bought some beautiful tomatoes, even though they aren’t in season….yet! Of course if the weather doesn’t start to cooperate, we will not have tomatoes, it’s freezing!

I am un-deterred and I made myself a spring-ish salad for lunch. So simple really……I have stuffed tomatoes frequently in the summer, egg salad, tuna, salad, chicken salad…….. so why not with a salad???

Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

I used baby spinach that I shredded and stuffed inside the tomato. At first I was thinking, just a tossed salad inside of a tomato, then Caprese crossed my mind.

Caprese salad, meaning “Salad of Capri” is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and green basil, seasoned with salt, and olive oil. It’s made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green.

Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

I love, love, love the combination of fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil. So, the spinach was in the tomato, and I topped it with cubes of fresh mozzarella….pretty!

For the basil, I made it into a dressing, a pesto dressing. Basil, walnuts, parmesan cheese, white balsamic vinegar, and olive oil with a touch of water to make it easy to pour.

Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

For my money, the pesto dressing made this dish. Basil is extremely aromatic, with the initial scent of pepper, anise, and mint. The taste is sweet, but savory. Perfect for Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato.

This salad is a great light lunch and would be a side side salad for any grilled meat……steak sounds good!

Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

It’s so quick and easy you can make it in a flash for those unexpected guests, or if you just need a quick lunch……like I did today!

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Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • Pesto Dressing
  • 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 
Salad
  • 
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 2 large vine ripened tomatoes
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves, shredded
  • Additional fresh basil, sliced for garnish if desired

Instructions

  1. For pesto dressing, in a food processor combine basil, garlic, walnuts and Parmesan cheese. Cover and pulse until combined. Add vinegar, water and oil. Cover and process until thoroughly combined.
  2. Wash and dry the tomatoes. Slice each tomato into 6 wedges, leaving the bottoms of the tomato intact. Spread open the wedges of the tomatoes slightly and evenly divide the spinach and mozzarella between the tomatoes. Drizzle each tomato with the dressing and finish with fresh cracked pepper and salt if desired.

 

Caprese Corn Cakes

Caprese Corn Cakes 8

We still have corn…….yeah!

The season for us corn is short, so we have to make the most of it…….you know ‘make hay while the sun shines’

Caprese Corn Cakes are little sun-shiny cakes of corn. Plus they use another short season favorite, fresh homegrown tomatoes.

OK, not from my home this year…..no garden……you can’t see it, but I have a sad face…..maybe next year. Continue reading “Caprese Corn Cakes”

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

I can say with all confidence that Spring is here, and Summer is on the way. Having said that, salads come to mind………..Italian Sausage Caprese Salad!

“Caprese” refers to something that comes from or is in the style of Capri, an Italian island off the coast near Naples………so it really means Italian.

It really is a delicious salad, fresh baby greens, with mozzarella cheese……….I love that they have the little tiny mozzarella balls called ‘Bocconcini’, they are so easy to use, just drain they, pat them dry and they are ready for the salad. I love fresh mozzarella, but to be truthful, it’s kind of a pain to slice……..and I have a cheese knife! But, lucky we live in the kind of world where everything has an easier way.

Tomatoes and basil, along with a Balsamic Dressing make for a lovely salad. Enter the Italian Sausage……….Italian Chicken Sausage to be exact. Johnsonville makes some great chicken sausages. They are precooked so you just have to grill and warm them up. They were perfect for a salad that usually does not have meat. Adding the meat makes it a hearty meal.

Grilled Sausage Caprese Salad

Now, lets talk about how easy this is to prepare. Pre-washed greens, mozzarella balls (I already talked of their ease), grape tomatoes, a quick cut in half, basil, just a little chop or tear, and a quick grill of the sausage. A balsamic dressing that comes together in a snap, especially using a mini food processor, all the ingredients, a quick whirl, and you are ready.

This would make a great weeknight salad, since it comes together so quickly, or a nice light meal after a day of……….gardening, or what ever your weekend pleasures are.

So, enjoy the Italian Sausage Caprese Salad………..Buon Appetito!

Grilled Sausage Caprese Salad Collage

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Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • Ingredients
  • 3 cups washed baby greens, any kind
  • 1/2 pound Baby mozzarella balls (Bocconcini), drained
  • 1/2 pound grape tomatoes, halved
  • 6 large basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 grilled Italian Chicken Sausage
  • Cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Dressing
  • 2 clove garlic, grated
  • 1tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 7 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Grill Italian Sausage until warmed through and you have nice grill marks.
  2. Allow to cool slightly and slice on the diagonal. Set aside.
  3. Measure all ingredients for dressing into small jar with tight fitting lid. Shake and drizzle over salad. Serve immediately.
  4. Divide the greens,mozzarella balls, tomatoes between two plates. (you can also place everything on a nice platter). Place the grilled, sliced sausage on top and sprinkle with basil. Serve with dressing and cracked black pepper.

Notes

You can easily double this recipe.

Keywords: mixed greens, fresh mozzarella, Italian sausage, tomatoes, basil, salad