Strawberry Caprese with Pistachio Pesto. {Video!}
GUYS.
It’s June.
It’s freaking June.
What is happening? Thanksgiving was over half a year ago. I almost have a 6 month old. I don’t know my head from my toes or how we got here. I feel like I took a nap in mid-December and just woke up. Whaaaaaaat.
If it was necessary that I wake up from hibernation in 85+ degree weather, I guess I’m cool with June. It’s contents consist of some super exciting events like my mom’s birthday, my cousin’s birthday, my brother’s wedding (!!!!!!!!!!!) and, um, fresh garden tomatoes and basil.
Because that last one sounds really significant after the listed events.
Oh, but guess what. OMG. I planted herbs. You know this because I only talked about it for seven weeks before I did it (“blah-I’m-so-excited-to-plant-herbs-blah-blah!”) and then I did it and haven’t stopped talking about it since. No really, I snapchat watering my plants every single morning because I adore them annnnnd I’ve usually been wide awake for at least an hour. A few years ago Bev told me how to grow some herbs and I blew it. I’ve been afraid ever since but now? They are growing like WEEDS!
I mean. You know what I mean.
They are seriously growing. It’s only been two weeks and boom, I have food.
Anyhoo, I got on that herb tangent because of the basil, because of the things I love about June, because I seriously just can’t believe it’s June. Oh hi, I’m boring and can only talk about time going so fast.
But it is. I thought that only happened to adults? I will never forget one December while my mom and I were making cookies – we lived in our “old” house, aka the house we lived in before the one I spent the majority of time in growing up. Christmas was right around the corner but I said “mom, I feel like Christmas was just last week!” I was probably only seven years old, which would explain why she looked at me wide eyed and said “only grown ups are supposed to feel that way!”
Wait. Am I a grown up now? I am looking around for other grown ups and it appears that right here, right now, I am the grown up. Ugh.
(Which truly means nothing since I’m watching full house while my infant snoozes next to me. Which, I supposed, would be a lot more scary if it actually still was 1992.)
So since I’m a grown up and since I get excited about things like basil and tomatoes in the summer instead of fireworks and pool parties and beer pong, I made a deeeelish (so not a grown up word) salad that I can’t get enough of.
No really. Life right now is all about super fast things that don’t taste like super fast things. If you get my gist.
Tomatoes, strawberries, fresh mozzarella rounds – it kind of seems boring, right? Perhaps “boring” isn’t the right word, but it just seems too… easy? Yes. Too easy.
It really is too easy! YEP.
But I swear. One you make some pistachio pesto and smother is on this salad – or rather – this bowl of tomatoes and strawberries and cheese, it transforms the entire thing.
It’s embarrassingly cliché and not the least bit unpredictable to tell you that we eat some form of caprese salad a few times week for the entire summer. It’s one of the only simple salads that I can call a meal. It’s one of the simple salads with such few ingredients that I deem necessary and filling and satisfying.
And no, it’s not just because I eat an entire ball of fresh mozzarella. But maybe once every now and then that could be why.
It’s just that perfect combination of flavors. Tastes like summer. Looks like summer. You can add in an ear (or three) of grilled corn and you have a legit feast.
Also, can I tell you how I tricked Eddie into eating this even though he “doesn’t really care for” pistachios? UH HUH. I told him I made a strawberry caprese salad with pesto buuuuut oh-so conveniently left out what kind of pesto it was.
He ate it.
He loved it.
I win.
Strawberry Caprese with Pistachio Pesto
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved
- 8 ounces fresh ciliegine mozzarella balls, usually comes in an (8-ounce) container
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- a handful of fresh basil leaves
pistachio pesto
- 1 cup shelled pistachios
- 3/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/3 cup finely grated pecorino romano cheese
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the mozzarella, strawberries and tomatoes. Season with the salt and the pepper and toss well. Toss in the fresh basil leaves. Add a few spoonfuls of the pesto and toss gently with a spatula to evenly distribute it. Serve immediately!
pistachio pesto
- Place the pistachios, basil, mint, garlic and cheese in a food processor. Pulse and blend until the nuts are coarsely chopped, then with the processor on, stream in 1/3 cup of olive oil. Add a little more if necessary, depending on how “spreadable” you want your pesto to be. I don’t mind mine a little thicker, but it means you will have to thoroughly toss the tomatoes and berries a but more. Taste the pesto and add in the salt, blending once more. This will make a little extra pesto than needed, so store it sealed tightly in the fridge for up to a week.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!
yes yes yes.
74 Comments on “Strawberry Caprese with Pistachio Pesto. {Video!}”
Let’s get married Jessica this Saturday and have kids :()
I WISH that I could plan herbs.
But I have a black thumb and I just kill them. WAH for me.
BUT, pistachio pesto is my JAM and then with ALL the strawberries? GIMME DIS. Pinned!
I know Peter said lets get married and have kids, but I’m putting my offer out on the table. Let’s get married and have kids. My husband may never get over me, but i will have you, and the mozzarella :D
Such a gorgeous summer salad!! Loving the pistachio pesto, I’d try that on anything!
Oh my gosh this looks wonderful! I love caprese and it reminds me of Italy! The addition of fruity strawberries is a win!
This is PERFECT! There used to be a time where I just hated pistachios…needless to say, I’ve come around to appreciate these green nuts as something totally addictive. We’re definitely going to give this a try!
Pistachios are my favorite! And I absolutely love the idea of adding strawberries to caprese salad! Beautiful, and totally making it.
Okay, this looks incredible! I’ve never tried pistachio pesto before! Such a good idea. And putting strawberries in it? You’re a genius!
Always, Hunter
This looks SO GOOD! Caprese is just perfect, and adding strawberries and pistachio pesto?! You’re a genius.
Yuuuuum! I am 100% on board with this salad train! Looks amazing!! I also question my “adultness” … and I don’t have a baby to prove that I might maybe somehow be one. But, I did just buy a vacuum… does that count? xo
Jessica – This is such a beautiful salad. So many wonderful flavors going in this dish. :)
Holy flavour party!! This looks fabulous!
Give me anything with mozzarella and pesto! I am dying over this recipe!! Love it <3
http://www.wedressalright.com
I planted a garden this year too, and it’s all I can talk about. This salad looks wonderful! I’m so excited for summer foods.
I can’t believe it’s already June either!!! But it also means it’s perfect time to grow our own herbs and eat all the basil in the world! Love this refreshing caprese!
This is such a lovely salad, Jessica! Love the wonderful flavors going on here.
I could live on caprese! This is such a beautiful variation. Can’t wait to try it!
I don’t know what I like better the salad or the pesto! Good thing they go together so I can have both! I totally know what you mean about time flying by like crazy fast. I feel exactly the same way. So pinned!
I’m insanely obsessed with my herb garden, too. My husband built one for me for mother’s day and I have taken about as many pictures of it as my 4 month old daughter this past week. :)
Have you seen this? Because it’s exactly how I feel most days. And I just had my *second* baby! :S
“That horrifying moment when you’re looking for an adult and then you realize you are an adult, so you look for an older adult. Someone successfully adulting. An adultier adult.”
This looks so heavenly, I can’t wait to try it. My garden is growing too!! I swear our backyard is turning into a mini forest.
This looks delicious, Jessica! Those strawberries!!! <3
I love love love fruit in salads! Fruit in anything in fact, i just love fruit. And strawberries in the UK at this time of year are just divine. Plus. I grew herbs this year too…. they are flourishing. In conclusion, I am making this salad this weekend, having a BBQ, whether it’s sunny or not. i don’t care. This salad rocks. :-)
Wow this looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it! Your photos are fantastic as usual!
I loveeee when we trick our hubs into eating foods they hate! Kitchen masters we are! And caprese salads are the way to my heart and this strawberry caprese is the next on my list. Need!
I love our herb garden and totally get the obsession…I hate when the growing season is over and I have to go to the store again to get them…I usually have tons of basil and I’m lovin’ this new flavor combo to use it in! I know you’re not big on greens, but you have to grow lettuce…like the spring baby lettuces or arugula…it’s the easiest and fastest thing to grow. And planting it requires little more than sprinkling the tiny seeds over the dirt and running your hand over them to lightly cover them with dirt. Three weeks later….salad is served! So good!
Made this last night, it was delicious!!
What a fun summer salad! I don’t feel like an adult either!
It’s winter in Australia and this strawberry caprese is giving me SO much envy. I want this right now!
Pingback: Recently pinned: Summer food - Kat got the Cream
Its looks yummy to beautiful pictures and special thanks to author for great work done, i love strawberry
This is just so bright and fresh, I can’t wait to try it!
Pingback: AmpliFINDS: Food and Recipe Blogger Edition
Pingback: Food Love - A Teaspoon of Happiness
I made this last night and the the pesto is absolutely incredible. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
Pingback: Friday Faves
Pingback: Sunday coffee + links - The Old Fashioned Girl
Join Now Approved United States Multinational Work At Home Company. Be a Member with Less Than $2 and Start Eaening. Get your Free Trial Now 100% Risk Free Check Here…………..
>>>>>> http://www.Generate-Cash.TK
Pingback: Smoky Beer Burgers with Gouda & Mustard-Horseradish Aioli
Here is an Extra opportunity f0r y0u. Y0u can earn 9925$ in a week. Start y0ur business fr0m the c0mf0rt 0f y0ur h0me. All y0u need is t0 g0 t0 this website and fill 0ut a basic 0nline f0rm. Its free and always will be………
**************************
———-> http://www.Generate-Cash.TK
*******************
Pingback: Friday Favorites | Bursts of Samm
Pingback: The Thursday Thirteen – 06/18/2015
My neighbor’s mom makes $87 every hour on the computer . She has been fired for 7 months but last month her pay was $18756 just working on the computer for a few hours. you can check here………….
I made this last night for a Father’s Day cookout, and everyone RAVED about it. It was very popular!
This morning I ate the pesto on a fried egg, and it was so good. I will definitely be making this again!
Pingback: 11 smakfulle grunner til å kjøpe inn fersk jordbær! - Kreative Idéer
Pingback: On The List: July 2015 -
Pingback: Lemon Arugula Pesto - Zest Nutrition
Pingback: Saturday Link Love: Strawberries - hungry gals
Pingback: 5 Fresh And Healthy Salad Recipes To Make | The Butter Half
Pingback: HolidayFun.co