Just hearing the name of this salad transports me to warm days and bright skies! Fresh basil, mozzarella, tomatoes and avocado is a dream combination.
I got the idea for this from a magazine and they had made perfect avocado halves with no skin. I tried to achieve this made for print loveliness to no avail! My poor ‘cados looked like they had been mauled by a bear so I went with slices. I also added kalamata olives, the briny flavor gives an extra bite amongst the creamy of the cheese and avocado.
This is also a very simple salad and it can be added to according to your taste. I will start with what they said in the recipe and follow it with the changes I made.
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
1/2 cup mozzarella balls
1 Tbsp fresh basil chopped + a few leaves for garnish
2 avocados halved and pitted
Combine the oil and vinegar with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella balls in half and chop the basil. Add 1 Tbsp of the dressing to the tomatoes, basil and cheese and stir until lightly coated. Cut the avocados in half and scoop it out of the skin. Place cut side up on a platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper before topping with the tomato and cheese. Drizzle the remaining dressing over top and enjoy.
I decided to save a dish and I added the cheese and tomatoes to the dressing. I also didn’t chop any basil into the dressing. I used a smoked salt and fresh cracked black pepper and a blasamic glaze as the topper. We talked about how I had to make the slices of avocado so the plating for me was a bit different.
I fanned out the ‘cado slices, sprinkled the salt and pepper, placed whole basil leaves then topped with the tomatoes and cheese. The olives also got sliced and went on top of the ‘maters and cheese. I used the balsamic glaze as an extra drizzle over top.
Now we can talk about extra things that would make this an even tastier dish! I added the kalamata olives but a regular black olive would have been just as good. Change the cheese out for feta and add pickled red onion and tarragon in place of basil. Go with bleu cheese, kalamata olives and scallions. You could even use a cream cheese with smoked salmon and capers. The avocado is a blank canvass! Feel free to love it however you want!!
Enjoy your kitchen and Happy eating!
Ali's Kitchen 