Sunday, March 21, 2010

Towers of tomatoes!

I think this recipe may become one of the most common in my kitchen soon. It's absolutely delicious, and I expect to have more homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil than I ever intend on eating this summer. I think it's actually called Insalata Caprese (or something like that) but since I'm not Italian and therefore cannot pronounce anything correctly and fear that I insult some native cuisine with my love of balsamic vinegar: I present to you tomato towers!

Ingredients:
1 small package of fresh mozzarella cheese (This is the more expensive stuff packed in water.)
2 medium sized tomatoes
Several fresh basil leaves
Oregano and more basil (Fresh or dried, whichever you prefer)
One cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

Let's do this!
Let's start our balsamic reduction because when you reduce the vinegar it becomes sweeter and less tart (read: more delicious). We're starting this now because there's lots of waiting involved, and you can do other things while it's simmering.
1-Pour your cup of vinegar into a pot.
2- Put the pot on high heat on the stove.
3-Once it begins to boil, lower your heat to medium.
4-Continue simmering the vinegar until you've only got about a quarter of what you started with. (p.s. try not to stick your face over the pot while it's simmering: this stuff is strong and I have the tendency to want to smell it every time I make it) The reduction should be thick and tasty by this point.
5-Remove from heat and allow to cool


Now for the tower building!
1- Slice your tomatoes into 1/2 inch rounds. (These don't have to be perfect.)
2- Slice your mozzarella into 1/2 inch rounds. (Neither do these)
3- Lay a slice of tomato on the plate.
4- Sprinkle generously with olive oil, dried oregano and basil.
5- Lay a slice of mozzarella on top of the tomato.
6- Put a slice of tomato on top of the mozzarella.
7- Repeat steps 4-6 until your tower is a desirable height.
8- Top with fresh basil.
9- Cover your tower lavishly with the balsamic reduction.
10- Take pretty pictures.
11- Knock over the tower and stuff your face!

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