Ciabatta Caprese

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 1 ciabatta with herbs for baking
• 4 tomatoes, fully ripe
• 1 ball of mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella)
• some basil leaves
• some olive oil
• pepper
• Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Total time approx. 15 minutes

I like to use the baked ciabatta with herbs, as I like to make this bread when we have spontaneous guests or when I just don’t feel like cooking. Bake the bread according to the instructions, let it cool briefly, and then slice it lengthwise while it’s still warm. Wash the tomatoes, remove the stem ends, and slice them. Thinly slice the mozzarella and tear the basil leaves. Place the tomato slices on the bread, place smaller mozzarella slices on top, and top with the torn basil leaves. Season with pepper and drizzle with olive oil. I know that balsamic vinegar isn’t really called for on Caprese, but I think it’s delicious to add a few drops of balsamic vinegar to the whole thing. If you prefer it hot, you can briefly put the whole thing under the hot grill in the oven (without the basil leaves, of course).