This easy, elegant salad is versatile and beautiful to serve as an appetizer or starter salad any time. Summer produce is best, however, because the rich flavor of the tomatoes with the crisp basil leaf and creamy mozzarella are a taste symphony.

Ingredients

• Tomatoes
• Basil leaves or sprigs
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Preparation
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into the same number of thick slices. If the diameter of the slice of tomato is larger than the cheese, it will go on the bottom. If the cheese is larger, layer the tomato on top of a cheese slice.

Arrange the stacks on a plate, drizzle olive oil over them artfully. Place a single basil leaf or a small spring on each stack. Sprinkle salt and pepper over it all, if desired.

Serve as is or with slices of a similar diameter bread or crackers.