Carmela Soprano's Insalata Caprese (Mozzarella and Tomato Salad)

Tomatoes are ripe and filling the garden in my imperfect world.

Wouldn't you know, Sobeys is also trying to unload their bumper crop of tomatoes this Labour Day weekend.

Okay, I can take a hint.  It's time to make something with fresh tomatoes.

Back to Carmela's Entertaining with The Sopranos.  Found it!!  The perfect thing for a holiday weekend - Insalata Caprese.  

Calm down.  It's just a Mozzarella and Tomato Salad.  Very simple and basic.  

Cut 6 ripe tomatoes - Carmela says "preferably New Jersey beefsteaks" (Yeah, she would) - into 1/2 inch thick slices.  

Cut 1 pound of mozzarella into the same number of slices (Yeah, she would).  

Alternate the slices, overlapping slightly, on 1 or 2 large platters.  

Sprinke with salt and pepper and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

This salad tastes best if it's prepared just before serving.  

It doesn't refrigerate well.  Trust me.

This is one of those toast and butter recipes.  Everybody who has tomatoes handy has made it.  Feel free to add whatever else you'd like to the table and take it easy.  

If you prefer a prepared Italian salad dressing instead of plain olive oil, go ahead.

Ma would also dish up anchovies, olives, tuna, peppers and whatever else was taking up room in her fridge.

For a bit of starch, a few loaves of Focaccio would go nicely.

Would I make it again. Sure.

Happy Labour Day!!

Another recipe down.  Forty-seven more to go.