It’s bbq season, and you’re invited.

It’s that time of year.  Backyard bbqs.  Summer cookouts.  Having friends and family over for some chill and grill time.  Kate, from Gluten Free Gobsmacked, had a great idea and started a virtual gf bbq.  Bloggers are invited to:

“Make something that you would bring to a BBQ in a park or at a friend’s house – and let’s have a party! Post your pictures, recipes, etc on your blog (or email them to me if you aren’t a blogger and I’ll help share your goodies) by July 7th and I’l post a round up for us all to share the goodies. I hope we can build a resource for everyone for the rest of the summer.”

What a great idea, Kate!  There are so many blogs to read that I never have enough time, and so many great new recipes waiting to be shared.  One of my favorites is a caprese salad.  It’s easy, quick, so full of summer flavor and always a hit.  The picture below is not mine, I admit that up front.  But it gives you the idea of what the finished product should look like.

And if you can’t get yours to stack, no worries – it still tastes good just laid out on a platter.

Yummy Stacked Caprese Salad (I had to work the “yummy” in as not only IS it yummy, but I choose the letter y from Kate’s list of choices!)
6 vine-ripened tomatoes
6 balls buffalo mozzarella (fresh is always best)
1/2 bunch fresh basil leaves
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper

Slice each tomato horizontally into 5 sections (so it’s slice as if you are slicing a bagel, but five times).

Slice each mozzarella ball into 4 pieces.

Place the bottom piece of a tomato onto a plate and top it with a piece of cheese and a basil leaf. Continue layering until you have “re-made” each tomato ending with the top piece. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of vinegar over each tomato. Top with coarse salt and pepper.

Happy Summer, everyone!

GFS