Caprese...Bruschetta...Whatever you want to call it...

OK, Jaime A, this entry is dedicated to you!

So while growing up, tomatoes were NOT one of my favorite vegetables (and/or fruit). I can't exactly tell you what happened along the way but I've found that tomatoes can be an extremely versatile food item...and tasty if done the right and certain way.  The following is one of my favorite side dishes that I eat with mostly everything.

Use the following items:
- 1 - 2 boxes of cherry (or cherub) tomatoes
- Mozzarella balls
- 1 to 2 cloves of garlic
- Basil
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper

Start out by cutting the tomatoes in half and placing in a serving dish.  This will be the longest process in making this dish and it's probably the most tedious part but so worth it in the end.  Once your tomatoes are halved, cut the mozzarella balls in 2-4 pieces.  Add to the tomatoes.  Then, chop up the stalk of basil and add to the mix.  I love basil so I do use all of it!

Chop the garlic cloves and add to the mixture.  Be careful with this part! The garlic can make or break this dish.  If you love garlic, feel free to add the two cloves.  Otherwise, start with one clove and if you need more, add the second one!  Then, salt and pepper to taste.  Last, drizzle with equal parts of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  If it's too biter, add more olive oil.  If it's too oily, add more vinegar until you find your taste.  No science to it.

That's all it takes! The best part about this dish is that you can make a big batch and let it sit in your fridge for upcoming meals.  The longer it sits in the ice box, the more the ingredients marinate and the yummier it tastes (not to mention that it saves you time during the week).  A few ways to eat it:  I like to eat it with a good piece of grilled steak or chicken, or throw it on top of angel hair spaghetti to make it Margherita style, or simply add it to toasted Italian bread and eat it by itself.

In a few blogs later, I'll write another variation of this awesome dish!  Enjoy and stay tuned...