Caprese Salad with Heirloom Mini Tomatoes

  

I couldn't have had better weather for my day off today. It's 45 degrees and sunny, and for January in the Great White North, that's a rare thing. We don't even have any snow yet, which makes it seem like it's perpetually April...

It was a really long week, starting my awesome internship and getting a beautiful new niece, but I've been bushed this weekend. I am making a point of resting a lot today and making wholesome meals to carry my tired body through this hectic 16 (ahem, 15 now) weeks ahead. A combination of the spring- like weather and my desire to eat well inspired me to make a salad I usually make in the summer when I have cherry tomatoes coming out the wazoo from my garden. I came across these beautiful heirloom mini tomatoes,and thought they'd be a fun way to spice up this recipe.

Caprese Salad with Heirloom Mini Tomatoes

- 1 package grape or any variety of mini or cherry tomatoes

-1 8 ounce ball of fresh mozzarella, cubed

-1 small red onion, sliced thinly

-1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

-1 T. good quality olive oil

-2 t. balsamic vinegar

-1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

-1/2 t. coarse sea salt

Directions: Combine tomatoes, mozzarella, onion and basil in bowl and toss to combine. Before serving, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Fragrant basil, flavorful tomatoes, and the soft rich taste of fresh mozzarella. Doesn't get much better than that, does it?

    

 Isn't that lovely? I got these gems at the Co-op I work at. You can find these all over the farmer's market's in the spring, or grow them in your own garden. I've spent all my free time lately planning out my summer garden in my head, and these SURELY getting stuck in the soil. And it's just such a colorful and exciting way to make your dinner table  more exciting.