This is the most delicious salad ever.  I have had countless people ask me for this recipe so I figured it was time to share it.  It has also become my "assigned dish" whenever I am invited to a party.  Honestly, it makes me feel like a real adult to be able to have my own delicious recipe and signature salad (that doesn't come from a kit!) Haha! 

It is super simple to make, delicious and it looks beautiful no matter where you are going to serve it. 

Ingredients:  (You can buy everything at Costco - or any grocery store.  I have found that Costco is the cheaper option for the balsamic vinegar, cheese and tomatoes, though). 

• Fresh basil (super easy to grow year-round indoors)
• Cherry or grape tomatoes
• Mozzarella balls (preferably not in oil) *Costco sells them individually packaged in groups of 3's like the video shows. They last a lot longer this way and you don't have to use every single one. 
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Balsamic vinegar reduction (balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar) *Recipe found here. 
• Basil Pesto (optional) (Once again, Costco sells my favorite kind. It is Kirkland brand and so delicious!)

Watch this video now and it will tell you everything you need to know. 

A few tips:

• I have learned that slicing up the tomatoes gives it a little bit bolder flavor, but it won't taste near as good in the coming days.  So only slice the tomatoes if you are going to be serving the salad that day.  If you decide to slice them, put them in a sealed baggie with salt and pepper for a few hours (even overnight, if you want) so they can marinate that flavor and they will taste amazing!   Just don't combine them with the other ingredients until just before you serve it. 
• If you want salad leftovers to taste delicious, I would serve it with whole cherry or grape tomatoes. It will stay delicious for a few days, as well as when you serve it.  I prefer to keep them whole.  But either way would work!

There are also a lot of options to serve this.  Here are a few examples:

Here is the recipe to make the balsamic reduction. 

If you want to serve it on a platter, buy the chuck of mozzarella (not the balls or pearls) and slice it up (like the middle picture above).  Slice tomatoes and alternate each one.  Layer in the fresh basil throughout to make it look beautiful.  Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar reduction and skip the pesto.  It will taste amazing without it.  

Good luck and have fun!

Tiff

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