Crisp Tomato & Bocconcini Salad

Submitted by CookingONTheSide

"This is one of my favorite salads I used to always buy in the deli of my grocery store until I found this recipe! It is a recipe I got from Rachael Ray's magazine. Boccoccini are bite-size balls of fresh mozzarella. You can substitute 1/2-inch cubes of regular fresh mozzarella, but it's not as good."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 cup red and yellow grape tomatoes (halved) or 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1⁄3 cup mixed pitted black olives or 1/3 cup green olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups unsalted bocconcini, quartered (or bite-size mozzarella)
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

directions

1. On large plate, toss the onion with the vinegar and a pinch of salt.
2. Spread in a single layer and let sit for 20 minutes to pickle.
3. In bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives, 1 T basil and 2 t olive oil; season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. In separate bowl, combine the bocconcini, remaining 1 T basil, remaining 2 t oil and a pinch of salt.
5. Fill 4 martini glasses with the tomato salad, bocconcini and onions.

Reviews

[cmcclain]

I tripled this recipe and took it to a family reunion. They loved it! I got a request to make it for a bridal shower and I'll be proud to do that! I used red wine vinegar and also tossed in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

 

[FrenchBunny]

This was such a great tasting and colorful looking salad. I had used a mix of the Kalamata and green olives. I also had found the pearl size Bocconcini cheese. This was such a quick salad to put together. Had a yummy flavor with the fresh basil too, I had just put in a few extra fresh chopped leaves than what is asked for. I also cut the recipe in half since we were only 2 and I served it as a side with a pulled pork sandwich. Was yummy !!!! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe Lainey. Will be making this salad again, we loved it.

 

[PalatablePastime]

This salad was great for me since I already had most of the ingredients. The red onion I bought for this ended up in something else so I sued some scallions instead, which I actually think I might prefer over stronger flavored onions. I used a mix of pimiento stuffed green olives and pitted kalamata olives (using up the green olives), and since I already had the fresh mozz in one piece I used that and can't really see any reason it would taste much different, and I think the biggest difference there would be the appearance, since the little balls would be more attractive than cut cheese. I used equal parts virgin olive oil with the vinegar, since it is a ratio I prefer. And I did go a little heavier on the basil. Tasted great! Thank you.

 

[potions]

A great salad for the summer. I used fresh from the garden cherry tomatoes and the fresh mozzarella. So fresh and delicious.

 

[Irish Rose]

Wow, what a great salad! My husband flipped for it. Easy and a beautiful presentation too. Thanks for posting this one.