Description
Caprese Bread invites Italian summer flavors into a rustic loaf, blending ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Crusty exterior and melted cheese create a Mediterranean masterpiece that transports taste buds straight to Naples.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf bread (16 ounces / 454 grams, any rustic type like focaccia or pugliese)
- 10 ounces (284 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced thinly
- 4–6 ripe tomatoes, sliced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- ⅓ cup basil leaves, sliced thin
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Seasoning:
- Coarse salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Activate the broiler to its highest setting and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Slice the bread loaf precisely down the center lengthwise, creating two equal halves with smooth, even surfaces.
- Generously coat the interior surfaces of the bread with extra virgin olive oil, ensuring complete and uniform coverage using a culinary brush.
- Gently rub a peeled garlic clove across the oiled bread surfaces, allowing the aromatic essence to penetrate and enhance the flavor profile.
- Meticulously arrange thin, uniform slices of fresh mozzarella cheese across the entire bread surface, overlapping slightly to create complete coverage.
- Position the prepared bread halves under the broiler, monitoring carefully and rotating the baking sheet if needed to ensure even melting, approximately 3-4 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbling.
- Carefully remove the bread from the oven and immediately layer ripe, thinly sliced tomatoes atop the melted cheese, covering the entire surface.
- Scatter freshly torn basil leaves generously over the tomato layer, creating a vibrant green contrast.
- Season the assembled bread with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Finish by drizzling high-quality balsamic glaze in an elegant, zigzag pattern across the surface.
- Slice into individual portions and serve immediately while still warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Crisp bread becomes the perfect canvas for this Italian-inspired appetizer that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering treat.
- Broiling creates golden edges and transforms mozzarella into a luscious, melted blanket that hugs each slice of bread.
- Garlic rubbing technique infuses subtle aromatics deep into the bread’s surface, elevating the entire flavor profile.
- Fresh basil and ripe tomatoes bring vibrant color and bright Mediterranean flavors that dance on your palate.
- Balsamic glaze adds a sweet-tangy finish that ties all ingredients together in one delightful bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg