Yesterday was bright and sunny when I woke up. There was a bit of a chill in the air but overall it was sunny and clear.
I went up to the lodge and got the grill ready. My mother in law, sister-in-law and nephew were coming up for Sunday brunch.
It was a perfect spring day. I was even thinking we may set up a table on the deck and eat outside. Was I wrong. Weather can change fast in the mountains.
I starting grilling and decided to take some pictures from the deck.
It was warm and sunny. Next thing I know I spot a white mass out over one of the hills. It almost looked like smoke.
As the mass began to move and drift toward the lodge I realized the it was bringing a chilly wind. It began to spread out and when it reached the lodge I realized it was snow.
Snow….in May. Well I do live in the Rocky Mountains.
So here I am standing on the deck in cut offs and sandals grilling in the snow. It made me laugh because almost every time I pull out the grill it starts raining. I should grill more often since we are having a dry spring.
Thankfully I was done grilling and could move in a light the fireplace and relax with my family.
Ok, so back to the food….I was planning on featuring a summer salad. This is a salad that we make nearly everyday during the summer.
But how can I feature a salad when it is snowing? Shouldn’t I feature a stew or soup? Well since the rest of the country is not blanketed in snow I will go ahead with my summer salad. It kept snowing all night. Most of the snow melted on impact but we got some great precipitation that was needed.
In the warm spring and summer months my family enjoys salads nearly every dinner. Sliced ripe red tomatoes, rich and creamy cheese, and bright fresh herbs is our favorite combination.
This salad is made with tomatoes (Compari vine ripe tomatoes from Costco), fresh mozzarella, balsamic, extra virgin olive oil and fresh thyme.
Fresh Tomato, Mozzarella and Balsamic Salad
The key to getting the best flavor from this salad is to thinly slice the mozzarella which can be done if you freeze it for about half an hour or until slightly firm but not hard. With the thinner mozzarella you can marinate it with balsamic and olive oil and the flavor will permeate the creamy cheese.
8-12 vine ripe compari tomatoes (I used the tomatoes from our local Costco but the salad is best with fresh tomatoes in season)
1 lb fresh mozzarella ( I used Bel Gioioso brand)
1/4 cup good balsamic vinegar (I used my trusty Kirkland Signature Brand from Costco, yes I know I love Costco..)
1/4 cup good extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove minced finely
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (you can also use basil, oregano or mint)
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Slice your mozzarella thinly and marinate with balsamic, olive oil and garlic. Let marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours in your refrigerator.
Slice tomatoes and arrange tomatoes, mozzarella with marinade and fresh herbs on a plate. Drizzle a bit more vinegar and olive oil and top with fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve as a first course with crusty fresh-baked bread or as a side dish with a nice piece of grilled meat.
Here are a few variations on this salad:
Fresh tomato, feta cheese, mint and kalamata olives
Fresh tomato, feta cheese, oregano and kalamata olives
Fresh tomato, blue cheese and bacon and arugula
Fresh tomato, brie cheese and pancetta
More great tomato salad recipes:
This one from Jamie Oliver. (I just love how he uses tomatoes of different sizes and shapes.)
Or try this one from Martha.
Here is Elsies’ beautiful version of the tomato mozzarella combo.
I enjoy to just sitting and watching my tomato starts and dream that this season will be long enough for us to actually harvest some tomatoes. Last year our crops froze before they had a chance to ripen. We are much more prepared this year. Wish me luck!
If I am not successful I will have the Boulder Farmers Market at my disposal and in late summer the farmers in the area will have a dizzying array of tomatoes to choose from.
Now I will resume my fresh tomato dreams…..
I love the photos, your story and Caprese salad is an all time favourite! There’s just something about tangy, sweet tomatoes in season with chewy, creamy mozzarella! How amazing to think the seasons could change so rapidly in the Mountains, fascinating!
You must of been freezing working at the BBQ in the snow and your flip flops etc,
Thank you. Perhaps everyone has a recipe for a Caprese but whats wrong with one more!
One of our favourite salads. Thank you very much for the tip for slicing mozzarella thinly!
It is my pleasure.
Love this and serve often. I think the oregano makes it all come together.
Sometimes add a few marinated mushrooms.
Yes. I sometimes put in grilled marinated portabellas that have been chilled.
That salad looks heavenly!
Thanks!
I adore tomato salads and yours looks amazing!
And I love the mental image of you grilling in snow!
It was chilly!
Awww! But kind of cool that you could do that!
Looks beautiful and delicious! We are still having some weird weather in my neck of the woods too. So ready for summer!
Me too!
Sounds like you have much the same weather as we do.. We did manage two sunny days but now have rain.. at least it isn’t snow like we had on Saturday! This is one of my favorite salads and I love your variations!
We love rain here in the mountains.
This so made me smile. (There is nothing better than juicy ripe tomatoes!) But i smiled at the word picture you painted of grilling in the snow.
This is not the first time for such madness on my part but usually I am better dressed.
snort… I don’t feel so alone anymore.
What a gorgeous photo of tomatoes! Yum!
Thank you.
Is there anything better than caprese when tomatoes are lush and tasty? I like your variations, especially the blue cheese and bacon.
Blue cheese and bacon is great but the tomatoes have to be super sweet.
Thanks for the tip.
My favourite way to serve fresh tomatoes – we had it on our wedding buffet 17years ago and I remember that every time we serve it.
I thought I was the only one who remembered meals I ate over 10 years ago…whew. Now I do not feel like a freak. My hubs will say…”honey remember that meal we had at that place in Monterey?” and someone will say “when were you in Cali?” and I usually say something like “oh…1992?” Seriously I am the wierd.
Nope, you aren’t weird at all. We remember meals with nostalgia. Like a restaurant called Shelley’s Woodhouse somewhere outside the twin cities that I want to revisit someday, if it still exists. We ate there 15 years ago, but I still remember the popovers with maple butter and the salmon..
Lovely to discover your blog! You live in a beautiful part of the world, a part where I would love to visit. I just love the photo taken with part of your balcony/verandah in it. And your tomatoes are such a wonderful rich, ripe colour. That salad would have been amazing xx
Thank you. I am looking to organize a blogging retreat here at the lodge. Maybe you can come visit.
Your photo of the tomato and mozzarella salad is gorgeous! And I like the idea of tomatoes, feta, mint and kalamata olives. Sounds so delicious!
Yes it is quite yummy. Please try it!
Simple but really delicious salad. Loved the photos too!
Love your new profile pic. That beer looks delish.
Thank you. It was. Never tried it before – Italian beer
Looks yummy, I’ll try to stop by again.
Glad to have you.
YUM! Tomato/mozza salads are one of my favorites. Seriously, what was up with that snow yesterday?! Thank goodness it melted quickly.
Yes and we are getting a little bit more today. It is not sticking. Another day to put off planting those seed potatoes.
Snowing on Mothers day is really just too much snow! I’m glad you could dream of some warmer and summery treats. I love this and like to drizzle some balsamic on top as well.
Actually the snow has stopped. Just rain now. Planted some more plant starts and laid out more raised beds. I am sure summer will come soon……
Tomatoes are my absolute favourite and I eat them without doubt every single day. So I very much enjoyed ready your blog post. Snow in May…..brrrrrrr. We’ve been having a silly amount of rain over here in London. Hunter Wellies have become the fashion accessory for the season !
I am growing aabout 10 different heirloom tomatoes this year. I adore tomatoes. Hope you do not float away in London.
mmmm how lovely. I’ll be ok for a while. I live on a hill (slight gradient) although the Thames is a stones throw away ;o)
Do you get the opportunity to grow your own tomatoes at that high an altitude? What are your favorite tomatoes to grow? Don’t you just love Colorado? The weather has been so up and down lately. Hot for 3-4 days, then cold and near snow and rain for another 3-4 days? I guess we are making up for a dry March with this wet May. What kind of camera do you use? Nice pics.
Hi Patty,
I use a Nikon Cool Pix P90. It is a point and shoot with lots of manual settings. Great camera for quick shots. Yes we can grow tomatoes up here but we need to start inside and finish in a cold frame or greenhouse. I like to grow Czech bush Tomatoes and Early girls. I do love Colorado. The weather has been great because we need the moisture here in the mountains.
Thanks for visiting.
Don’t you just love Colorado’s weather? I swear it always has to be cold or rainy on graduation in Colorado. I graduated last weekend (outside)..everything up to Friday was SO warm and then it was so chilly for graduation and then what happens Monday (after all the festivities are over)…it is SO freakin hot! lol Good ole’ Colorado
I love your post! Beautiful picture from where you live!! I also love these salads…feta is my favorite addition
Wondering how the weather will be on Saturday. The Dish Jockey is graduating from Boulder High and we are attending the outdoor graduation! Thanks for stopping by!
Well I hope the weather will be good!
The weather today is beautiful. The sun is out in full force. Maybe I will plant my tomato plants!
Sounds like a plan!
Did it rain during the graduation? I know it was raining off and on during the day on Saturday…
Of course it was raining! The graduates were soaked but they actually loved it!
ha ha nice!
We have crazy weather in Scotland as well. In March it was in the mid 20s Celsius (upper 70s), but now it is 9! Snow up north too. Argh! Anyway, it does feel weird having tomato salads. Any salads. But the days are light and longer so we can just about get away with it on imported produce. Hopefully bbq weather by the middle of next week. Lovely colourful reminder that *others* are having summer weather…
What a lovely salad! Too bad about the snow. Hopefully you will get a bright and sunny day for BBQing soon.
Today it is very bright and sunny. Although I loved all the rain that we had yesterday!
Thanks for stopping by my blog
Oh my gosh that deck is lovely; and the view!
It was much more beautiful than I could capture in my camera. Today it is amazing. The sun is out in full force.
Grilling and snow what’s better than that. Great pictures too.
Believe it or not I have never caprese … I will be this summer when my tomatoes ripen. I envy the view you have! I’ve been to Colorado a couple of times and it is truly magnificant – heaven on earth! Here in NE Ohio I don’t have beautiful views … but at least in the Spring and summer I have my lovely flower beds and garden to look at.
Have a great day!
You really should try it! Very tasty!
Beautiful looking to say the least!
Some lovely takes on a classic!
Great minds think alike. I just looked at your blog (as I have been real busy of late) and low and behold you have a beautiful tomato salad post. I just posted a similar recipe today but with cherry tomatoes and bambini bocconcini instead of tomato and mozzarella slices. Baby Lady & I love tomato salads and now is the perfect time of the year. The recipe looks great and I like the variations. We will have to try a few of them.