• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate travel, culture, connection
Food & Drink, Midwest, Recipes, U.S. Destinations 0

Caprese Salad Recipe, with Bufala Mozzarella & Nut-Free Pesto

By Nancy Zaffaro · On July 25, 2016


On a recent trip to Chicago, we found Tesori quite by accident. My teenaged nephew and I had enjoyed a great morning walking Grant Park and visiting the Shedd Aquarium. We were still planning to visit the Art Institute, but were famished. Located in the heart of the Loop, on Adams Avenue, just off Michigan Avenue and across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago, we enjoyed a terrific lunch before setting off again.

Tesori’s menu is Italian-Mediterranean, and they’re open for lunch and dinner. The bar is inviting for happy hour or a late night cocktail.

Tesori makes their own bufala mozzarella and won me over with their burrata insalata—a salad of wild baby arugula, dried black mission figs, aged balsamic vinegar, toasted walnuts, and a large ball of their fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Here, we share their recipe for that summer Italian classic, the Caprese Salad—one of the best way to use summer tomatoes and basil. You may not be able to find Tesori-quality mozzarella at home, but the better the quality of mozzarella and tomatoes, the better this salad will be. We especially like this easy-to-make nut-free and dairy-free basil pesto.

-Recipe courtesy of Tesori, Chicago.

Basil Pesto

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. fresh basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

To Prepare:

  1. Add Basil, Garlic, Parmesan, Salt, and Pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine.
  2. With food processor running, drizzle in Olive Oil.

Use immediately, or cover tightly (with plastic wrap touching the surface of the pesto, to prevent oxidation) and refrigerate for later use.

Caprese Salad (per person)

Ingredients, Per Person:

  • 2 tablespoons basil pesto (see Tesori’s nut-free recipe above)
  • ½ heirloom tomato, sliced ¼” thick
  • 3 ½ ounces fresh mozzarella di Bufala, sliced ¼” thick
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 10+ year balsamic vinegar
  • 1 pinch micro basil (or basil chiffonade)

To Prepare:

  1. Spread pesto on a plate.
  2. On top of the pesto, place alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella.
  3. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic over salad, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and garnish with basil.
tesori main dining room

Tesori’s main dining room is located right in the heart of Chicago’s Loop.

Tresori's burrata insalata, with house-made bufala mozzarella.

Tresori’s burrata insalata, with house-made bufala mozzarella.

For More:

Tesori, 65 East Adams Street, Chicago, IL,   https://www.tesorichicago.com/

-Photos courtesy of Tesori.

Download PDF
Art Insitutebufala mozzarellacaprese salad recipeChicagoChicago downtown restaurantsChicago Italian restaurantsChicago places to eatMichigan Avenue restaurantsnut-free pesto recipeTesori
Share Tweet
Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro took her first solo trip at 17 years old and has been hooked on travel ever since. She's a long-time writer and editor and the Editor of ConfettiTravelCafe.com. You can see more of her work at NancyZaffaro.com.

You Might Also Like

  • save money on food while traveling Food & Drink

    How to Save Money on Food While Traveling Abroad

  • International Destinations

    5 Things You Should Know Before You Start Mountain Biking

  • Coastal

    10 Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Like What You See? Write For us!

We're always interested in publishing new stories that celebrate travel, culture and connection. Take a look at our Submission Guidelines and pitch your story.

Follow Us on Instagram

confettitravel

What a day, what a day!!! . (Not my images of cour What a day, what a day!!!
.
(Not my images of course and normally wouldn’t do it...but. 🎉)
.
.
#inauguration #inaugurationday #freshstart #hope #healing #action #46 #celebrate
Remember that lovely little #amaryllis bulb encase Remember that lovely little #amaryllis bulb encased in red wax? Well, I’ve been enjoying the growth and blooming process! With #gratitude for such a thoughtful gift.
.
The tall #bulb is in its third bloom by the way; great fun to help make happen!
.
#amaryllisflower #flowers #winter #wintercolors #addsomecolor #friendship #gifts #newyear
Morning cappuccino and homemade biscotti! . Fun to Morning cappuccino and homemade biscotti!
.
Fun to have my daughter making the biscotti now, from my favorite recipe.
.
#morningcoffee #morningmotivation #coffee #coffeelover #espresso #cappuccino #biscotti #chocolatechips #chocolatechipbiscotti #chocolatechipcookies #startmyday #happysunday
‘Tis the spirit of the season! A good friend sto ‘Tis the spirit of the season! A good friend stopped by with the most #apropos #gift !
.
 #christmas2020 #christmas2020🎄🎅🎁 #tistheseason #besafe #besafeoutthere #xmas #christmasdecor #christmasornaments2020 #friends #friendship #makemelaugh #laugh #smile #wehavetolaugh
Raise a glass ... Happy Christmas Eve! . . #girlfr Raise a glass ... Happy Christmas Eve!
.
.
#girlfriends #morningyoga #christmas #friends #friendship #giftexchange #christmasgifts #christmastime #mimosa #mimosas #raiseaglass #soover2020 #before5
A good start to any #holiday ! We had every intent A good start to any #holiday ! We had every intention of doing our morning yoga ... but #mimosas and gift exchanges were calling! Rare to miss ... but ... Happy Christmas Eve!
.
.
#girlfriends #morningyoga #christmas #friends #friendship #giftexchange #christmasgifts #christmastime #mimosa #mimosas #raiseaglass #soover2020
Christmas Eve and the last window on my 1960 Adven Christmas Eve and the last window on my 1960 Advent calendar is open! I love this little tradition.
.
Sorry, no chocolates in this one! Merry Christmas! I wish you all a healthy and happy and safe #holiday !!
.
#christmas #merrychristmas #advent #adventcalendar #childhoodmemories #windowsofinstagram #familytime #memories #tradition #traditions #familytraditions #nochocolate #besafe  #besafeoutthere
A bad mom moment ... I don’t remember which #kid A bad mom moment ... I don’t remember which #kiddo made this or when! But I still love my #winter doorstop! Ha! Merry Christmas!🎁 
.
.
#christmas #christmasdecor #christmaspast #homemade #kidmade #doorstop #family #familytime #gifts #kidmade #christmastime
Always something new under the stars and sun and m Always something new under the stars and sun and moon! A friend gave me an #amaryllis and check it out! Encased in red wax, no watering needed. Can’t wait to see the #bloom! And I’m including a shot of my “old” Amaryllis as well. The blooms won’t be ready for the holidays, but this will be the third time since last Christmas that they will bloom. Yay me!
.
.
#flowers #flower #christmas #gift #tradition #enjoytheholidays #happyholidays #red #colorful #christmasgifts #christmasdecor #friends #friendship #luckyme
Squash seeds ... I’ve always baked them with dry Squash seeds ... I’ve always baked them with dry spices. But this time around, I took a tip from my daughter-in-law and baked them in a little #marinade of soy sauce, ginger and some hot chili oil. Delicious!
.
.
#squash #seeds #snacks #fallfoods #foodies #foodie #foodporn #foodiesofinstagram #fromthegarden #gardentotable #chilioil #soysauce #ginger
My city of bridges ... A #saturday walk around dow My city of bridges ... A #saturday walk around downtown Portland ...
.
.
#portlandoregon #portland #eastside  #westside #inmycity #takeawalk #willametteriver #walk #walking #fall #fallvibes #fallweather #waterfront #bridges #tillikum #tillicumcrossing #steelbridge #steelbridges
Perfect day to walk the Esplanade in downtown Port Perfect day to walk the Esplanade in downtown Portland ...
.
.
#portlandoregon #portland #eastside  #westside #inmycity #takeawalk #willametteriver #walk #walking #fall #fallvibes #fallweather #waterfront
happens every December, don’tcha know ...the foo happens every December, don’tcha know ...the food bill goes through the roof! Can’t resist buying all kind of little favorite delicacies!!
.
.
And I haven’t even STARTED picking up #cheese and #charcuterie yet! LOL!
.
#holidays #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #favoritethings #favoritefoods #christmas #gourmet #gourmetfood #truffles #cranberries #mussels @penncoveshellfish #capers #dittmann  #saltedcapers @starvationalley  @drinkcacoco #drinkingchocolate @jacobsensaltco #oregon #washingtonstate #washington #cooking #cookingathome
And a merry Christmas ... I really do love the hol And a merry Christmas ... I really do love the holidays and this year, in that regard, is no different than any other. #bekind #beafriend #breathe 
.
.
#christmas #christmastree #christmas2020 #christmastime
A little prayer for peace...happy #Hanukkah! . . # A little prayer for peace...happy #Hanukkah!
.
.
#hannukah #hanukkah2020
A #granddog boy-dog and his treat! Cooper, loved s A #granddog boy-dog and his treat! Cooper, loved seeing you ... oh, oh and your mom and dad...😉
.
.
@cooper.d.shiba #dog #dogsofinstagram #caninelove
Exploring the neighborhood and this is the view on Exploring the neighborhood and this is the view on my way back before getting off the main road and back onto my little side street.
.
#walking #takeawalk #fall #walk #mthood #mthoodoregon #portland #oregon #inmyneighborhood
New house, new garden, new season, new world...in New house, new garden, new season, new world...in full fall color!
.
.
#fall #autumn #fallcolors #mybackyard #trees #hugatree #outside #garden #inthegarden #fallcolor #newhouse #oregon #clackamas #portland #happyvalley #happyvalleyoregon #peaceful #relax
Scenes from a small, healthy and happy #thanksgivi Scenes from a small, healthy and happy #thanksgiving ...
.
.
#framily #goodfood #goodfoodgoodcompany #portland #besafe #simplepleasures
Thanksgiving Manhattans ... . . #thanksgiving #bes Thanksgiving Manhattans ...
.
.
#thanksgiving #besafe #manhattans #dolin @vermouthdolin #whidbeyislanddistillery #rye #ryewhiskey @whidbeyislandgrown @whidbeydistillery #amarena @toschisyrup.ng #amarenacherries #staywarm #warmandcozy #friends
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Our Contributors!

We love our Contributors and enjoy building a community of writers. Take a look at who’s writing for Confetti Travel Cafe on our Contributors page!

Find us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Nancy Zaffaro on 7 Best Places in Japan for Freelance Writers
  • writeessaytoday on 7 Best Places in Japan for Freelance Writers
  • Nancy Zaffaro on Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Moscow
  • Arie on Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Moscow
  • Nancy Zaffaro on Tiffany Stained Glass Windows in Franklin, Pennsylvania
  • Donald Ziegler on Tiffany Stained Glass Windows in Franklin, Pennsylvania

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

Recent Posts

  • How to Save Money on Food While Traveling Abroad
  • 10 Need-To-Know Tips for Cold-Weather Kayaking
  • Share Your World: Top Travel Instagrammers Build Community
  • Travel For All: Accessible Travel for Those of Us with Disabilities
  • 7 Technologies to Protect Your Home While You’re on Vacation
  • Preparing for a Long Road Trip
  • 5 Virtual Tours to Fairy Tale European Christmas Markets
  • Home
  • Our Site
  • Contributors
  • Write To Us
  • Write For Us
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure

Categories

  • Africa/Middle East (15)
  • Antarctica/Arctic (1)
  • Art & Culture (26)
  • Asia (31)
  • At the Bar (54)
  • Canada (3)
  • Coastal (36)
  • Europe (42)
  • Food & Drink (139)
  • Food And Drink (67)
  • For the Home (31)
  • Getting There (22)
  • International (91)
  • International Destinations (116)
  • Mexico/Central America/Carribean (13)
  • Midwest (4)
  • Northeast (12)
  • Northwest (76)
  • Oceania (7)
  • On The Town (75)
  • Outdoors (16)
  • People Stories (23)
  • Recipes (30)
  • South America (6)
  • Southeast (33)
  • Southwest (17)
  • Staying There (44)
  • Travel & Lifestyle (69)
  • Travel Destinations (21)
  • Travel Gear & Gifts (27)
  • Travel Tips (52)
  • U.S. (73)
  • U.S. Destinations (138)
  • Uncategorized (1)

Recent Posts

  • How to Save Money on Food While Traveling Abroad
  • 10 Need-To-Know Tips for Cold-Weather Kayaking
  • Share Your World: Top Travel Instagrammers Build Community
  • Travel For All: Accessible Travel for Those of Us with Disabilities
  • 7 Technologies to Protect Your Home While You’re on Vacation
  • Preparing for a Long Road Trip
  • 5 Virtual Tours to Fairy Tale European Christmas Markets

Tag Cloud

Kaciu Kavine Gengenbach historic sites halo-halo Wrangell bitters Tongass National Forest New Jersey eateries Swiss chocolate Finland Devil's Churn Founding Farmers pinot noir Central America Degli Ultimi Temple Bar Portland canoe journey Alaska My Greek Table gumbo Wildcraft Cider Works Nancy Zaffaro Christmas markets chocolate Pak Beng recipe for enchilada sauce outdoors Rhode Island distillery tour Columbia Gorge Santa Fe Windhoek Duniway Hotel winery retaurants Montage Kapalua Bay Willamette Valley Vineyards Pile Gate Chef Matt Costello gift books

© 2020 Confetti Travel Cafe. All rights reserved.