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Is anyone else as in LOVE with summer as I am?
Cause I am just lovin it. All the summer produce has me jumping out of my skin with excitement. And for a little while there, we where actually having some unusually warm weather, like 80โs! Unfortunately, that weather turned last week and we got our share ofย rain and cold temps, but itโs looking like summer is back, yesterday was beautiful and the same for today. Iโm staying majorly positive with big ass salads like theseโฆ
OkOK and fried mozzarella. I mean, obviously. Balance guys, balance.
So, letโs chat about this here Nectarine and Fried Mozzarella Caprese Salad.
First things first, itโs pretty simple, but still delicious none the less. Fresh ripe nectarines, paired with sweet figs (if you like, theyโre totally optional, but I love figs), perfectly ripe and super pretty heirloom tomatoes, fresh garden basil and prosciuttoโฆyou know, for good measure.
Then of course, you need to add that fried mozzarella, which yes, is just as dreamy as it sounds. So I guess this is kind of my take on an elevated caprese salad.
Lately, Iโve been so all about burrata, that I kind of forgot about mozzarella. Truth be told, most of the time I find mozzarella to be a little bland. I mean, I do love it, and it has its place in and on so many dishes, but sometimes it just needs a little boost, you know?
Enter fried mozzarella, oh how I LOVE you so. Iโve actually used fried mozzarella several times before, and in all three situations, I paired the fried mozzarella with fresh fruits in the form of nectarines, peaches and blueberries. Apparently I really like this comboโฆ
โฆsituation threeย (this is insanely goodโฆfyi)
Then just finish things offย with a quick and simple balsamic vinaigrette and call it a day. As Iโveย been saying all week, summer recipes should be fast and easy, and this salad is a great example. The only work involved here is frying the cheese. I would also highly recommend eat this right away while it the cheese is all hot and gooeyโฆ
Ok, before I go, please cross your fingers, say a little prayer, whatever you doโฆ Asherโs beloved cat Nikolai is once again MIA. You see that peculiar cat is afraid of strangers and on Sunday my momโs cousin Amy and her family spent a couple of nights at my parents house while my fam is away in Mexico. Amy, Tim and their kids are about as nice as they come, but that weirdo of a cat has been missing ever since they came. No food, no water, no litter box use.?
UPDATE: the cat has showed signs of life, litter box used and water is downโฆall is good! ๐
Thatโs all I have got for you guys today. Simple post for a simple, but crazy awesome saladโฆ again, the fried cheeseโฆ hehe, you can thank me later! ๐
PS. if youโve yet to try this combo of nectarines, basil and fried mozzarella, you HAVE to try it. Itโs one of my summer favorites and everyone who does give it a try loves it. But then how could they not? So GOOOOD.
Nectarine and Fried Mozzarella Caprese Salad.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2-3 ripe, but firm nectarines, sliced into wedges
- 2 ripe heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 fresh figs, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 handful watercress or arugula
- 3 ounces prosciutto, torn (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses or honey
- kosher salt + pepper
Fried Mozzarella
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 thick round slices or bocconcini
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the nectarines, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, figs, basil, watercress or arugula and prosciutto.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic, pomegranate molasses, salt + pepper. Drizzle a little of the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss. Fry the mozzarella (see below) and add it to the salad. Serve while the cheese is warm.
Fried Mozzarella
- In a large bowl, combine the Panko, flour, parmesan, salt and pepper, mixing thoroughly to combine. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Take each slice of fresh mozzarella (or bocconcini balls) and coat it in the beaten egg, then dredge it through the bread crumb mix, pressing on both sides to adhere. Repeat with the remaining slices.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Fry the coated mozzarella, turning carefully once or twice until golden and the cheese begins to melt, but still retains its shape, about 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Serve warm atop the salad.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
A little salad with my (fried) cheese please!
Please! Please! Please! Tell me where you got the paring knife in the last picture of this post. Its too perfect. Not to overlook the genius of your caprese. I really love the salad with fried mozz cheese but that knife is from my dreams. Do you remember where you got it? Thanks!
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Made this for a dinner party! Huge success. I could not find figs so i used blackberries and raspberries. Definitely going to be making this again!
Great substitution!! So happy you liked it Roxanne! Thank you!
I am drooling reading this! This salad looks like such a dream and I’ll definitely be making it soon!
xo, Skylar
http://www.styledbyskylar.com
Thank you so much Skylar!
So…I made this salad for a dinner party last night and I must say EVERYONE raved about it. Love how all the ingredients worked so well together. I will definitely be making this one again. Thank you so much!
YAY! So happy it was a hit! Thanks so much Sarah!
I’m in love with nectarines and caprese anything… this salad is my dream!
Thank you Laura!! So happy its your dream salad!!
We’re trying to be healthy, so I’m using goat cheese instead of fried mozzarella. Thankfully, we had just enough ripe figs on the tree! I am serving this for dinner tonight, but snuck a taste and it’s yummy! I always love your creations in the kitchen! Oh, I added blueberries, too!
YAY Sounds delicious!! Hope it was a hit!
Thank you so much!!
alllllll the love!!! summah is the best, esp. when it includes fried mozz xo
RIGHT!? haha (:
Mmm I am a huge fan of fried cheese, and it looks so good here! Good luck on finding the cat.
xo
Phyllis
http://desgeulasse.com/
Hi Phyllis!! We found the cat, he came out as soon as Asher came home!!
Thank you, hope you love the salad!
I love this, such a beautiful and delicious salad! And fried cheese, yum!!
Thanks Lilli!! I’m loving the fried cheese as well!
I’m imespsred you should think of something like that
Good to see a talent at work. I can’t match that.
Thank you so much!
Your husband's joke reminds me of my college days at MIT…where every joke was like that. Sigh.Love this pasta! So fresh-flavored and with my favorite spring veggie!
Thanks!!
what’s worse is that I’m sure they’ll present San Diego as a place that would APPEAL to assholes like that, which will just attract more assholes and create a whole vicious cycle./misses living in San Diego.
Need some google help. How can an otherwise healthy, non-drug-using, non-smoking, non-abused 13 yr old get a collapsed lung? Texteen’s youngest step-brother has been hospitalized for this since Saturday. Nothing I see online mentions children or adolescents. The kid plays musical instruments and school soccer, but it isn’t soccer season. No sword fighting that I know of and he doesn’t have a broken rib.
Nectarines are my favorite summer fruit. It’s a little early for the local ones here but the stores are selling some decent ones. I just foolishly passed up some beautiful figs yesterday. Looks like I’ll be going back for those today! I could see placing this gorgeous salad on top of a flatbread to change it up, too. Another stunner, Tieghan!
Oh my gosh, you need to get those fresh figs!! They’re the best!!
On a flatbread!! OMG Yes that sounds so good!!
Thank you Jean!
Holy mackerel, that salad looks amazing. Fried cheese forever please!
Right!? Fried cheese might be the best thing!
Wow this is beautiful. Truly. And fried cheese in a salad? What an amazing idea!!!
You do seem to take advantage of summer’s best fruits!
https://www.searedandshameless.com
YAY Thanks so much Jessica!! I try my best (:
I am also thinking for tonight.. the Fried Mozz would be fab on other dishes also. Meat-less Pasta with Marinara Sauce and sun dried
Tomatoes can be a tad boring, but adding these to the top before serving will add a Wow to the dish.
Thank you and next trip to the store will gather all for the salad too.
Hi Leslie! That would be perfect! I hope you dinner was delicious!!
Hope you love this meal and every one from here on out (:
YUM, this salad is perfection in a bowl! The fried mozzarella just sound divine and the combo of nectartines and figs with it, YES PLEASE!
P.S. I’m so sorry about Nikolai. I will definitely say a prayer that he comes home for Asher.
Tori!! Nikolai found Asher as soon as she was home!
You gotta try this bowl!! I know you’ll love it!!