Caprese Sandwich with Truffle Salt is a show-stopping panino that's perfect for picnics. This easy recipe takes only a few minutes to make and calls for a handful of simple ingredients, including a fresh baguette, water mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and truffle salt. You can wrap each sandwich in parchment paper and bakers twine to make them picture perfect for your picnic!
Jump to:
How to Elevate a Simple Dish with Truffle Salt
Truffles are a sought-after culinary prize. They are different from mushrooms in that they grow below ground, typically at the base of oak trees. The most common varieties are the black and white truffles, which are foraged for by dogs. In fact, the Lagotto Romagnolo was specifically bred in Italy to find truffles.
In 2017, I read Truffle Boy: My Unexpected Journey Through the Exotic Food Underground by Ian Purkayastha and Kevin A. West. The book is about how Regalis founder Ian Purkayastha turned his passion for food into a career in the exotic food space by carving a path in truffle dealing. The book piqued my interest as it delves into fraud in the truffle business, specifically in the chemicals that are used to mimic the taste of truffles. Since then, I've been especially selective of the truffle products I buy, including one of my favorites: truffle salt.
I use truffle salt to elevate the simplest of dishes all the time. Whenever I make a simple salad, Soft Boiled Jammy Eggs, avocado toast, or a caprese sandwich, I add a pinch of truffle salt to add a hint of umami flavor. It's a simple seasoning that lasts a long time since a little goes a long way.
Where to Find Truffle Salt
I have found great authentic truffle salt at Eataly, Williams-Sonoma, and on my last trip to Italy with my family. You can find truffle salt online at Williams-Sonoma, including Regalis Black Truffle Salt, Casina Rossa Black Truffle Salt, and Savini Truffle Salt.
How to Make a Caprese Sandwich with Truffle Salt
Caprese Sandwich with Truffle Salt takes under 10 minutes to make, including prep. First, using a serrated knife, slice the baguette in half lengthwise, leaving a slight hinge. Then, drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the inside of the bottom half of the bread. Add the basil, then the sliced tomatoes. Add fresh cracked pepper and a pinch truffle salt to the tops of the tomatoes. Then, add the sliced fresh water mozzarella. Top the sandwich with the top of the bread and enjoy immediately or wrap tightly and refrigerate to enjoy later that day.
Caprese Sandwich with Truffle Salt is a great vegetarian sandwich that goes perfectly with a chilled glass of rosé, Aperol spritz, or aranciata.
How to Wrap a Sandwich in Parchment Paper
Cut parchment paper into strips about 3-4 inches wide and cut bakers twine into 15-18 inch pieces, one strip and one piece of twine per sandwich. Then, take a strip of parchment paper and place a sandwich on top of it so that the sandwich is perpendicular to the paper. Bring up the sides of the paper and wrap the sandwich. After, take a piece of twine and wrap the sandwich in the paper once, then tie the string in a bow.
Caprese Sandwich with Truffle Salt
Ingredients
- 1 standard baguette cut crosswise into thirds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 ripe plum or Roma tomatoes cut into ¼-1/2" slices
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon truffle salt
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 6 slices
Instructions
- Using a serrated knife, slice the baguette thirds in half lengthwise. Evenly drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the inside of the bottom halves of the bread.
- Lay the basil on each bottom half of the baguette, then the sliced tomatoes, about 2-3 slices per sandwich. Add fresh cracked pepper and a pinch truffle salt to the tops of the tomatoes. Then, add two slices of mozzarella to each sandwich.
- Top the sandwich with the top of the bread and enjoy immediately or wrap tightly to enjoy later that day.
David
Great picnic sandwich, love the addition of the truffle salt.