Salmon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze is my favorite salmon ever! It's so easy, yet impressive enough for company. You need to try this! Don't miss the video!
What do you do when your doctor says to eat salmon twice a week for the omega-3s?
a. Get a second opinion
b. Make the same old salmon recipe every three days
c. Decide to come up with the best darn salmon dishes to keep things interesting
Luckily for us, I chose "c." And, I have to say, this Salmon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze (hey, that rhymes!) knocks my socks off. It's the best salmon I've ever made.
And I love all of my salmon recipes. I'll even go out on a limb and say someone who doesn't like fish might enjoy this Salmon Caprese.
I mean, it looks like pizza, right?
I took gorgeous, mouthwatering Caprese ingredients — fresh mozzarella (the soft, white kind), tomatoes and basil — and married them with salmon.
I layered the mozzarella and tomatoes on the oiled and seasoned salmon, roasted them, then sprinkled the ribbons of basil atop the gooey, melted cheese and drizzled it all with balsamic glaze.
Delizioso!
I need to tell you about the island paradise of Capri for a moment, since that's the origin of the Caprese combination of ingredients. First, it's actually pronounced "KAH-pree," with the accent on the first syllable.
Second, it's located near Naples, where Mom was born.
Third, I left my heart there 34 years ago when we stayed in Capri for two whole weeks in August during our family trip to Italy with Nonna. (The photo of Nonna on my About Me page was taken in Capri on our hotel balcony.) I vowed to return someday, and visiting with my hubby and kids remains at the top of my bucket list.
Would you believe I never liked raw tomatoes until I ate them in Capri?
On our beach days, we'd buy "mozzarella e pomodoro" sandwiches, which consisted of a slab of crusty Italian bread stuffed with fresh, buffalo mozzarella and a thick slice of juicy, sweet tomato, accented with olive oil and basil...what's not to love?
Then, at night, we'd dine al fresco, often at a particular restaurant that served the best pizza Margherita, again with the freshest mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Heaven!
Can you blame me for trying to recreate that Capri vibe with this Caprese Salmon with Balsamic Glaze?
And, while I'm giving you the recipe with the amounts as best I can, this is the kind of dish you can wing after the first time or two. Put on some music, sip some wine or tea, and decorate your salmon with layers of Caprese deliciousness, without worrying about measuring or counting.
Just like an Italian.
More salmon recipes
- Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
- Baked Pesto Salmon
- 10-Minute Maple-Glazed Salmon
- Salsa Salmon with Lime and Balsamic Vinegar
- Buffalo Salmon with Onions
Enjoy!
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)
Watch the video to see how easy it is to make Salmon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze!
Salmon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 1.75 pounds salmon (4 pieces)
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- 16 grape tomatoes
- garlic powder
- 6 medium basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Grease your baking pan (a rimmed baking sheet or anything your fish will fit into) with cooking spray.
- Rinse your salmon under cold water and feel for any bones to remove. Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
- Place your salmon in your pan (skin side down) and top each piece of fish with one teaspoon of olive oil. Brush the oil or use your fingers to spread it evenly. (Wash your hands if you touched the raw fish.) Sprinkle salt and pepper on the salmon.
- Slice your fresh mozzarella into rounds about ½ inch thick (or a little thinner, if you prefer). Place two slices of mozzarella on each piece of salmon, in a single layer. (If your fish is longer, you might be able to fit three slices of cheese.)
- Rinse your tomatoes and pat them dry. Slice them in half, then in half again. Place your tomatoes on top of the mozzarella, distributing them across each piece of fish. Sprinkle the tomatoes with garlic powder and black pepper. (You shouldn't need any more salt, since the cheese is salty.)
- Bake your salmon for 20 minutes, or until the fish can be flaked with a fork. If your salmon is thin, you might only need 15 minutes.
- While the salmon is in the oven, rinse and pat dry your basil leaves. Trim off the stems. Make ribbons of basil (chiffonade) by rolling up each leaf and then slicing it into sections about ¼-inch thick.
- To serve, remove the skin (if any) from the bottom of the fish. Top each piece of salmon with basil ribbons and drizzle on balsamic glaze.
Tia
Great taste but the cheese gets cold REALLY fast!
Mamma C
Hi Tia - I recommend serving this immediately. I've also found that thinner cheese slices work best. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Kiki Davis
I am so anxious to try this. Just reading about it makes my mouth water. We love salmon and have fresh tomatoes from our garden now xoxoxo.
Thank you
Mamma C
Hi Kiki - I absolutely love this salmon and hope you enjoy it!
Angie
What a great idea! I was totally just craving salmon today too, and have plenty of tomatoes - I might just have to make this !
Mamma C
Go for it, Angie! I've had this three times already and am still craving it. 🙂
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
Yum-oooooooooooooooo! And...to think we were in Central Italy in mid June 2016, yes, scary and upsetting! Capri is just as beautiful as you recall Andrea-I hope you get back one day soon with your family...xo
Mamma C
Oh Cheryl, that must be so unsettling. I'm glad your family was able to enjoy your trip and stay safe. I hope I get to Capri soon. xo
Kathi @ laughing spatula
We are huge salmon eaters around here and I'm always looking for a new way to make it! Not to mention all those tomatoes I have ready to eat! Yum, yum and yum!
Mamma C
That's perfect, Kathi! You are all set. Enjoy!
Marianne | Basil and Bubbly
I could seriously eat salmon every day of the week ( doctor's orders or not! ), but I'm still thrilled to find a new way to try it. Looks delish!
Mamma C
I hope you give this a try, Marianne! It's a big hit in my household.
Tara
Such a wonderful summer dish using fish! I love that drizzle on top. Love different ways of using salmon.
Mamma C
Thanks, Tara! I love salmon and appreciate having a variety of ways to prepare it.
Jill
I LOVE that you put caprese on top of salmon. Could I have your permission to share this (with link back of course) in a round up I'm going to be putting together for Caprese recipes? I blog at Foodtastic Mom (http://www.foodtasticmom.com) Let me know. Thanks!
Mamma C
Jill, I'd love for my recipe to be included in your roundup. Thanks!
Sarah
I've been craving a Caprese dish for weeks now and love that you've swapped in salmon! Pretty sure {positive} this recipe will be at the top of my list for the week!!
Mamma C
I hope you enjoy it, Sarah!