summer favorite

i have several large beefsteak tomatoes left over from number 2's birthday party this past weekend.

for lunch today i decided to make one of my favorites.

i am not sure if it is called caprese salad or caprese tomatoes,

being i'm not italian and do not claim to know italiano

i call it just plain ol' yummy

my sister once served this for a small gathering, and i have been a fan ever since.

it is the perfect lunch for summer.

i sliced the tomatoes, drizzled the slices with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

sprinkled them with sea salt and black pepper.

topped with a  fresh basil leaf

{cut from my garden, makes me happy saying that}

and added fresh mozzarella.

 i use the fresh balls that are sold in containers in the water to keep the cheese moist. 

i have also used the fresh mozzarella cheese log sold at trader joe's.

both are yummy :)

i don't recommend using the mozzarella that you would grate for pizza or other recipes, 

that cheese is too dry and it would just not taste the same.

i almost couldn't resist eating them before i snapped these pictures.

i am counting down the days till hubby is off on vacation...his last day is this friday, finally!

i can't wait to really start enjoying our summer together as a family.

how is your summer going?