What's For Dinner: 'Caprese Salad

May is such a gentle month, isn't it? The world outside is stirring with a quiet energy – new green leaves unfurling, the promise of warmth settling in, and the days stretching just a little longer. For spirits like mine, sometimes the greatest joy isn't in grand adventures, but in these subtle shifts, these invitations to pause. And pauses, I've found, are often best accompanied by something truly delightful yet effortlessly simple.

Lately, my heart has been drawn to meals that don't demand much, but offer so much in return: fresh flavors, a beautiful presentation, and a moment of peace. It's a small act of gratitude, really, to prepare something lovely for yourself after a day of navigating the world. Today, that quiet offering is a Caprese salad. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most profound blessings are found in the simplest of arrangements, much like faith itself – uncomplicated yet deeply nourishing.

Ingredients

2-3 ripe, medium-sized tomatoes (heirloom varieties, if you're feeling fancy, but any good garden tomato will do)
8 oz fresh mozzarella (bocconcini or a larger ball, whatever calls to you)
A generous handful of fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (this is a lovely touch, but a drizzle of balsamic vinegar works too)
A pinch of sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

If using a large mozzarella ball, gently slice it into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. If you have bocconcini (smaller balls), you can halve them or leave them whole.
Wash your tomatoes and slice them into similar 1/4 inch rounds. The goal is for them to be roughly the same size as your mozzarella slices, for aesthetic balance.
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices alternately on a platter or individual plates. You can do this in a circular pattern, or a simple line. Lay a fresh basil leaf on top of each slice of mozzarella (or tuck them in between).
Drizzle generously with your good quality extra virgin olive oil. This is where the simple ingredients truly shine.
Next, add a delicate swirl of balsamic glaze (or a splash of balsamic vinegar).
Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and a grind of fresh black pepper.
Take a deep breath. Observe the colors. Give thanks. Then, enjoy.

There's something profoundly calming about putting together a meal like this. No fuss, no flurry, just the gentle assembly of fresh, vibrant things. In a world that often hurries us along, choosing to savor these moments feels almost revolutionary. It's a small act of self-care, a quiet prayer of gratitude for the abundance around us.

As we move through this beautiful month of May, may we all find our own pockets of peace, our own simple Caprese moments. I'd love to hear about them. What simple joys are you cultivating in your life right now?

Photo by Or Hakim (@orhakim97)

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