On a hot summer day, few things are as simple to make and as good to eat as a fresh caprese salad. All it takes is five minutes and six ingredients: Tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil, salt and pepper.

When making simple dishes like this, the key is to use fresh, high quality ingredients.

I love to make this dish with Roma tomatoes, but it is just as tasty made with tomatoes of different colors and varieties. Balls of fresh mozzarella can be tricky to slice nicely. I have the best results when I my serrated tomato knife.

Layer slices of tomato and mozzarella with leaves of fresh basil, drizzle with your best olive oil and favorite balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with pinch of salt a hearty crack of black pepper and Presto! Caprese salad. Serve as a beautiful starter or side, or between two slices of your favorite bread to make a delicious (and vegetarian) sandwich!

Enjoy!