Next level Caprese salad. I know that at the end of summer the tomatoes are sweet and tasty as is. I roasted some Roma tomatoes to make them even better. They are perfect for this salad.
The tomatoes roast low and slow for four hours in olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary and oregano.
First get your tomatoes and cut them lengthwise into quarters.
Throw them on a parchment lined sheet.
Add the herbs oil and garlic and toss them well.
Roast - for a long time
Keep and eye on the garlic cloves during the roasting.
If the garlic cloves are cooked, take them out. When garlic overcooks it tends to taste bitter
Save that oil for the salad
Roasted Herb and Tomato Caprese Salad
2 side servings (5 hours)
Roasted Herbs and Tomatoes
6-8 Roma tomatoes
4-5 tablespoons of EVOO
6-8 Garlic cloves, separated but not peeled
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary cut into smaller sprigs
4 branches of fresh oregano
Salt and pepper
Salad
4 Balls of Bocconcini Cheese cut into bite sized pieces or smaller bocconcini
1 tablespoon fresh basil - or more to taste, chopped well
Balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
Salt and Pepper
Directions
- Set oven to 225F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut tomatoes into quarters. Place tomatoes, garlic, herbs on sheet. Generously drizzle olive oil over the mixture. Toss the mixture by hand to make sure that all the herbs and tomatoes are covered. Roast for 4 hours. Check the garlic regularly after an hour. If the garlic is cooked remove it. Toss the mixture every hour or so.
- After four hours remove from the oven and let rest.
- To prepare the salad cut the tomatoes into bite sized pieces and add to a bowl. Add the cheese.
- Crumble some of the roasted herbs onto the salad.
- Add the chopped basil.
- Pour any oil from the parchment paper into the salad. Salt and pepper to your liking. Toss all ingredients together.
- Drizzle with your favourite balsamic. Serve.
This recipe is forgiving and you really don’t need to measure things. Go by personal tastes. Maybe you like more bocconcini. You can certainly scale this recipe up to feed more people.