Caprese salad

Caprese salad (Italian: insalata caprese, pronounced [insaˈlaːta kaˈpreːze; -eːse]) is an Italian salad composed of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil or balsamic vinegar. The salad's name references the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. The dish became known internationally in the 1950s, sometimes said to have occurred after it was served to King Farouk of Egypt while visiting the island. In Italy, the dish is often eaten as an appetiser (antipasto), without vinegar, and sometimes with pepper and olives. The components are used as the basis for various dishes, including uncooked in sandwiches, and lightly cooked in sauces for gnocchi or ravioli. Internationally, serving differs: in the US, it is eaten as a side dish, and in Argentina, its components often fill empanadas. The salad is sometimes confused with insalata tricolore, which also contains components making up the national colours of Italy (green, white, and red), but uses any ingredient for the green element.