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Elegant Vegan Italian Caprese Salad with Basil-Cashew Cream

Discover this exquisite vegan Italian Caprese Salad recipe with a creamy basil-cashew cream, perfect for a light and satisfying lunch. Experience the perfect balance of fresh tomatoes, smooth cashew cream, and aromatic basil leaves artfully plated to tantalize your senses.

πŸ•’ Prep Time: 20 minutes - Cook Time: None - Total Time: 20 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6
πŸ”₯ Difficulty: Intermediate
🌎 Cuisine: Italian

Allergens

Cashews, Garlic

Ingredients

  • 1. 3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced into 1/2
  • inch thick rounds 2. 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4
  • inch thick rounds 3. 1 cup fresh basil leaves 4. 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours 5. 2 cloves garlic 6. 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 7. Salt and pepper, to taste 8. Balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional) 9. Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews well.
  2. In a high speed blender or food processor, combine the drained cashews, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Transfer the basil cashew cream to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small hole cut in the corner.
  4. Arrange tomato slices on a serving platter, slightly overlapping each other.
  5. Place a slice of mozzarella between two tomato slices and repeat until all ingredients are used.
  6. Pipe basil cashew cream between the tomatoes and mozzarella to create a beautiful marbling effect.
  7. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, if desired, and sprinkle freshly ground black pepper over the top.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy this sensational vegan Italian Caprese Salad.

Chef’s Insight

Use a mix of colors for tomatoes, such as red, yellow, and orange varieties, to create a visually appealing dish.

Notes

This recipe is best enjoyed at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Cultural or Historical Background

The Caprese salad is said to have originated in the early 1900s as a tribute to the island of Capri, Italy.