Classic and simple, and utterly divine, the Caprese salad. It doesn’t take a genius to chuck this delicious Italian dish together, but what it does take is fresh and quality ingredients.

When it comes to simple salads with few components it is important to make each ingredient count. This is very much the Italian style of cooking, the type of straight-forward dish ‘nonna’ would prepare with local vine-tomatoes and basil from the garden. I think there tends to be a misconception that Italian food involves a lot of work, time, ingredients and isn’t that healthy for you (read pizza and pasta); however this is so far from the truth. Italian cuisine is very vegetable and meat based, and is always fresh and put together simply, often with a glug of olive oil. This is why the Mediterranean diet is deemed so healthful (also its pretty low sugar!).

This is another great lunchbox idea because it keeps brilliantly and you literally chuck everything into a tupperware in 2 minutes flat. I would advise investing in high quality buffalo mozzarella or burrata (which is deliciously creamy!) and vine/heritage tomatoes (currently in season) – if you manage to get this combination right you will be in heaven, trust me!

Ciao bellas, enjoy your salad al fresco in this beautiful summer sun…

Ingredients Serves 2

• 3 large vine or heirloom tomatoes
• 1 large ball of good quality mozzarella or burrata
• handful fresh basil leaves
• handful rocket
• drizzle of olive oil
• drizzle of pesto (its simple homemade)
• good pinch salt and pepper

Method

1. Wash the tomatoes and cut them into 6 or 8 pieces
2. Mix through the basil leaves and torn pieces of mozzarella/burrata
3. Place on top of a bed of rocket and drizzle over the oil and pesto.
4. Sprinkle over the season and toss well
5. Buon Appetito!