Caprese Lentil Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is a caprese salad good for weight loss? ›

Created in the 1950s as a light lunch for regulars at a famed Italian restaurant, Trattoria da Vincenzo, the Caprese Salad is a favorite for those on our low carb diets and weight loss management programs because it's filling and packed with flavor, yet also very nutritious. Plus, it's very easy and quick to prepare.

All things considered, YES a Caprese salad is a healthy option! Low in calories with a bunch of important nutrients coming from the vegetables and healthy fats from the cheese and olive oil. Basil also is a strong anti-inflammatory with enzyme-inhibiting oils.

What is Caprese Salad? “Insalata Caprese” literally means “the salad of Capri” which is an Italian island. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, then seasoned to perfection, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

The caprese salad is a classic Italian dish that has gained popularity all over the world. The salad is made with fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella slices, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and is traditionally placed on a plate in a layered circular pattern.

But I definitely could eat it every day!) Caprese salad makes a scrumptious quick lunch at home, or you can serve it with grilled steak kabobs for an easy summer dinner! It's just as perfect for a full blown Italian-inspired feast with spaghetti and meatballs and garlic cheese bread. Oh, and tiramisu for dessert?

And at the top of that list? Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

It stays fresher and it's really easy to use a fork to break your portion up into bite size pieces. Or just eat it with your hands! Another way to serve a Caprese style salad is to chop everything into bite-size pieces, toss with the olive oil and vinegar, and serve over a bed of lettuce or as a chilled pasta salad.

Burrata is a soft cheese ball with a creamy center, whereas caprese is a simple Italian salad that can be made with either burrata or fresh mozzarella. What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella? Burrata and mozzarella are both creamy, white, semi-soft Italian cheeses very similar in appearance.

Caprese Salad is terrific served as a side for sharing, as a light meal with crusty bread or piled onto toast with smashed avocado.

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

What can I use instead of mozzarella in caprese? ›

Burrata: Burrata cheese is an excellent substitute to fresh mozzarella and has an almost molten middle of cream.

Spinach, particularly baby spinach, can be a great substitute for basil in dishes where the herb would be served raw, like pesto or Caprese salads. Spinach provides similar color and texture to fresh basil, although it lacks some of the herb's aromatic nuance.

For every 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar.

One of the most delicious dishes found in all of Italian cuisine is Caprese salad or the Insalata Caprese. This dish marries some of the most notable ingredients in Italian cuisine including tomatoes, olive oil, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over tomatoes and cheese and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Nutritional Info: Per serving: 250 calories (160 from fat), 18g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates (2g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 14g protein.

Mozzarella – Keystone Farms Cheese Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese made from cow's milk. It's very low in fat, but high in protein. It's good for weight loss, but only if you eat it in moderation.

Low in Calories

Caprese salad is a low-calorie option that can help with weight management. It typically contains only around 150-200 calories per serving.

Salads made with a variety of fruits and vegetables make the perfect healthy lunch or dinner. That's because they're filled with tons of nutrients that benefit your body, like fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin C. These nutrients can work to lower your blood sugar, regulate cholesterol levels, and help you lose weight.