Everyone is always asking me about my fresh farmer’s market salads so here ya go! This is Malika’s Local Organic Tomato & Fresh Herb Caprese Salad! My family has a weekly tradition of going to the farmer’s market every Saturday morning. We aren’t vegetarian or vegan by any means. Instead, we strive to eat organic, fresh and local if possible. This is one of those things that’s easy to make with fresh, local, organic ingredients from right here on Maui.
I get my cherry tomatoes (or regular sized tomatoes) from the Saturday Upcountry Farmer’s Market or any local supermarket. There are tons of options when it comes to local tomatoes. I buy black Hawaiian salt locally as well – the one pictured isn’t local, I got it at TJ Maxx LOL but the one that’s in my pantry at the moment is made by Pacifica Hawaii. The herbs can be a bit tricky. Usually I’ll find most of it up country at the market and if I don’t find all of it, I’ll head over to Kumu Farms at the Maui Tropical Plantation and they usually have a great selection of herbs. Most of the time you can just grab as little or as much as you like and they charge $1-2 for your “bunch”. Any local supermarket also carries fresh herbs grown right here in the islands. I usually add as many herbs as I can – listed below. But you can make it with just one herb from the list, your favorite herb(s) or stick with the traditional basil (pictured in this recipe). I usually make this salad with mozzarella but it’s also really yummy if you sub that out for avocado.
Ingredients:
- Cherry tomato (or whatever tomato you like to use)
- Black Hawaiian salt or coarse salt of your choice
- Fresh Dill
- Fresh Mint
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Cilantro
- Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
- Any other fresh herb you LOVE!
- French Vinaigrette (French dijon mustard, olive oil, red wine vinegar – RECIPE)
- Fresh Mozzarella (I use the small ones if I use cherry tomatoes and the large ones if I use normal sized tomato)
Directions:
Wash your herbs and tomatoes. Roll and cut mint and basil into thin ribbons. Rough chop the rest of your herbs. Cut tomatoes in rondelles. Cut mozzarella into little pieces. Add all to a bowl and mix. Sprinkle salt over the top and add dressing. Voila! Easy peasy! Hope you enjoy! It is one of my favorite things to make as a side salad, pupu, or a quick snack!
