Lunch · italian
Caprese Bread Plate
No cooking, no heat, no pans: slice and plate, and lunch is done. Fresh mozzarella in the water-packed log from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods 365 is the move here since it slices cleanly and tastes good at room temperature. A good bottled balsamic glaze (Trader Joe's sells one for under three dollars) does more flavor work than a plain balsamic vinegar would.
How to make it
Slice mozzarella and tomatoes into rounds roughly the same thickness.
Arrange alternating slices of mozzarella and tomato on a large plate or board.
Tuck fresh basil leaves between the slices.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze, then season with salt and pepper.
Serve with bread on the side for building open-faced bites.
Give kids a bread slice and a plate of components and let them stack their own bites. For a heartier plate, add a few slices of prosciutto or salami from the deli drawer. Pesto from a jar makes a good swap for the olive oil drizzle and adds richness without any extra prep.
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