Tuscan Tomato Mozzarella Stacks (Print View)

A vibrant stack of tomato, mozzarella, and basil with olive oil and balsamic glaze for a fresh starter.

# Components:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 4 medium ripe tomatoes
02 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves

→ Dairy

03 - 8.8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

→ Pantry

04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 - Sea salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into 8 even rounds approximately 0.4 inches thick each.
02 - Wash and gently pat dry the basil leaves.
03 - Begin with a tomato slice on a serving platter, then layer a mozzarella slice, followed by a basil leaf. Repeat layering to form stacks of 3 to 4 layers, finishing with basil on top.
04 - Insert a long toothpick or bamboo skewer vertically through the center of each stack to hold the layers firmly in place.
05 - Drizzle each pillar with olive oil and balsamic glaze, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Present immediately as a vibrant and refreshing appetizer.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look impressive enough to make you feel like a confident host, but they come together in about fifteen minutes flat.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about the act of stacking, and every layer tastes like a small celebration of summer.
  • Fresh mozzarella and good tomatoes do most of the work—you're just giving them the right stage to shine.
02 -
  • Room temperature tomatoes taste better than cold ones—take them out of the fridge about twenty minutes before slicing if you can.
  • The mozzarella will be easier to slice if it's been chilled, but let it come to room temperature on the plate so the flavor blooms.
  • Don't assemble these more than an hour ahead or the tomato juice will start to soften the mozzarella and make everything slide.
03 -
  • If mozzarella is hard to slice, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it between cuts for cleaner edges.
  • The best olive oil and balsamic matter more in simple dishes like this where they're not hiding behind other flavors—this is where you splurge.
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