Caprese Salad with Fried Basil & Capers

Name: Caprese Salad with Fried Basil & Capers
Yield: Serves 4–6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling; 12 fresh basil leaves; ¼ cup capers, drained and patted dry; ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼″ thick; 3 vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and sliced ¼″ thick

Preparation info

Serves
4–6

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Italian Comfort Food

By The Editors of Saveur

Published 2015

About

Fried briny capers and sweet basil leaves punch up the flavor in this adaptation of the classic in salata caprese from the island of Capri in the Gulf of Naples. Use caution when frying the basil, as it has a tendency to cause spattering when submerged in hot oil.

Ingredients

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
¼ cup capers, drained and patted dry

Europe
Italy
Capri
Mediterranean
Gluten-free
Vegetarian

Method

Heat oil in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high. Cook capers until crisp, 6–8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer capers to paper towels to drain. Working in batches, fry basil leaves until crisp, about 30 seconds, and transfer to paper towels to drain.
To serve, arr