Simple Summer Salad

I recognize that it's not quite summer, but when we have a bout of fine weather there are certain foods that just scream al fresco dining.  My aunt Dolores has a beautiful backyard in Portola Valley, filled with flowers and blooming trees, and throughout the warm months she hosts the most amazing barbecues. She and her family spent many summers in Tuscany, so there's always a touch of Italy on the menu. One of her staples, and the thing I look forward to the most (in addition to her killer grilled ribs!) is a colorful tomato salad - something I could fill up on alone it's so delicious. I hesitate to call it a Caprese salad as there are always additional ingredients that push it just beyond the usual tomato-basil-mozzarella boundaries: pine nuts, red onion, avocado or Kalamata olives...sometimes it has it all. In addition to fresh ingredients, there are three keys to making this simple salad beyond fabulous: excellent ripe tomatoes and really good, high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. How beautiful is the simplicity of a vibrant and fresh salad! This one is a mouth-pleaser for sure.

Fresh sliced tomatoes, as red as you can get them!

Lots of fresh basil, sliced into ribbons

Fresh mozzarella, sliced

Pitted and sliced Kalamata olives, or any good-quality olive

High-quality extra virgin olive oil

High-quality balsamic vinegar

Cracked black pepper

Toss, serve and sit back to enjoy the mmmmmm's.