Tomato Mozzarella Spinach Salad with Balsamic Drizzle

A delicious twist on Spinach Salad.

This has to be my all time favorite salads. It has all of my favorite salad components. Nice fresh dark greens, tomatoes and cheese. Add the sweet Balsamic drizzle and I'm in heaven. I am very  fond of sweet dressing, on my salad. This is the perfect summer salad, and is elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.

Who would have ever thought that the tart Balsamic vinegar, could be turned into a thick sweet syrup like sauce. The deep flavor just pairs so nicely with the sweetness of the reduced vinegar. It balances out those bitter greens and just intensifies the sweet tomatoes. The salty mozzarella rounds out the flavors, leaving you with a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

Spinach Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Drizzle

1 bag of spinach, washed and dried

1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise

4 bocconcini (fresh mozzarella balls), sliced to 1/4 inch slices

2 Tbs olive oil

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 C Balsamic vinegar

1/3 C sugar

In a bowl mix together the tomatoes, bocconcini slices, olive oil, basil and pepper. Let sit while you make the Balsamic drizzle.

In a small saute pan, over med low heat, stir together the Balsamic vinegar and sugar. Slowly bring to a boil and reduce to a slow simmer. Simmer until almost reduced by half (you don't want it too thick, since it will thicken even more when cooled). Remove from heat and cool, until syrup can drip off a spoon, in a continuous strand.

On a large plate, or salad platter, and arrange tomato cheese mixture mostly in the center. Once syrup is cooled sufficiently, drizzle on greens, tomatoes and mozzarella.