19 Apr Caprese Salad For A Crowd

Caprese Salad for a crowd-perfect 5 ingredient dish for potlucks, picnics and to take to someone during life events…like moving, for example.

I moved into our new house last week–4 weeks after our actual anticipated move date.  Because of situations beyond our control (READ-Contractors who don’t keep their word), our move occurred during the busiest work week I’ve ever had, complete with 5 enormous events for 2 different clients. We moved on Sunday, the day before Passover–the day I was supposed to create a salad for 26 people.

Creating salads is my jam. Honestly. I love doing it and this particular crowd is extremely receptive to any recipe I create. However, in the midst of 20+ full boxes, no counter space, (note that these pictures were taken outside on top of the garden hose caddy) zero groceries in the house (and I do mean ZERO), and an exhaustion I’ve never felt before, my creative juices weren’t really flowing. Until….. Caprese Salad.

Caprese salad is always a go to in our house, so why not expand it for a crowd? Four simple ingredients—spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil—and BOOM! It’s done. Salad for 26 should look bountiful–hence, a platter for presentation. Thank God I had access to my platters.

Caprese Salad for A Crowd

Ingredients

1-2 pounds of pre-washed spinach or a combination of leafy lettuces

2 containers of cherry or teardrop tomatoes, washed (red or yellow or a combo of both)

2, 8-ounce containers of bocconcini or pearl mozzarella, drained

1 large bunch of fresh basil, torn into small pieces

Balsamic vinaigrette

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Place spinach/lettuce on the bottom of a large platter.  Create “stripes” of tomatoes and mozzarella, alternating until you have at least 2 rows of each.

Just before service, dress salad with a bottled balsamic vinaigrette, salt and pepper. Make your own vinaigrette or just drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil–it makes no difference to me.