Fabio explains how to cook with different types of olive oil as only he can, then drizzles some of the good stuff on a creamy Caprese salad with blistered cherry tomatoes.
Fabio's expert tips:
- How to shop for olive oil, olive oil buying and cooking mistakes. There are three different categories: extra virgin which is great for finishing but not cooking at high heat, regular which is useful to use instead of butter for cooking and light which is great for frying.
- How to save money on olive oil-where to scrimp, where to splurge. Olive oils with a deeper green color usually taste better but may cost a few dollars more. Because many classic Italian dishes are finished with extra virgin, sometimes it's worth a few dollars to enhance your dish.
- Use olive oil to perk up your winter tomatoes! Heating tomatoes with olive oil and adding fresh herbs can hugely enhance the taste of your tomatoes.
- Simple and deliciously satisfying salads can be made with three ingredients: cold buffalo mozzarella, warm cherry tomatoes and EVOO!
THE PERFECT CAPRESE SALAD
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Yield: 2 servings
20 cherry tomatoes (varying colors)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of buffalo mozzarella (packed in water)
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh oregano
salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 large leaves of basil (for garnish)
1 pinch Fleur de Sel (for finishing)
Add olive oil to a nonstick sauté pan and turn the burner to medium high.
Once oil is hot, add the tomatoes, thyme and oregano. Cook to blister the tomatoes, stirring often until the skin of the tomato is loosened and the tomato is softened (about two minutes.)
Slice cold buffalo mozzarella into thin slices and salt and pepper them. Arrange the mozzarella on a plate with basil leaves.
Top the seasoned mozzarella with the warm blistered tomatoes and herbs.
Garnish with salt and pepper and another a drizzle of olive oil, of course!
MANGIA!
Have a cooking question for Fabio? Leave a comment with your question and Fabio will answer it in an upcoming video!
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