AVOCADO STRAWBERRY CAPRESE

Few things in life are better than the trifecta of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. But life just got a little sweeter, because adding avocado and strawberries takes your caprese salad to another level.

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup (60 mL) balsamic vinegar

1 cup (250 mL) sliced strawberries

1 cup (250 mL) halved cherry tomatoes

1 cup (250 mL) halved mini mozzarella balls

1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced

⅓ cup (75 mL) pecans, toasted

⅓ cup (75 mL) loosely packed basil, torn

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a high simmer over medium heat. Stir, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vinegar has thickened and reduced by half, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Place the strawberries, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, pecans, and basil in a shallow bowl or on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Gently toss. Drizzle with the reduced balsamic.

SERVES: 4

VEGAN: Skip the cheese.

GLUTEN-FREE