Crispy Tomatillo Caprese Towers
Elevate your dining experience with these Crispy Tomatillo Caprese Towers! A delightful fusion of vibrant flavors, this dish combines golden-brown fried tomatillos, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil for a refreshing twist on the classic Caprese salad. Drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze and adorned with colorful cherry tomatoes, each stack is not only a visual feast but also a melody of textures and tastes, making it perfect for entertaining or a satisfying weekday treat.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Stone-ground cornmeal
1 cup (none)
All-purpose flour
1 cup (none)
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Cayenne
1 pinch (none)
Buttermilk
1.5 cups (none)
Kosher salt
to taste (none)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Large tomatillos
4 (cut into 1/2 inch thick slices, ends removed)
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup (for frying)
Unsalted butter
1 tablespoon (none)
Mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (cut into 1/2 inch thick slices, trimmed into disks)
Fresh basil leaves
1 cup (washed and stems removed)
Balsamic glaze
1/4 cup (store-bought or homemade)
Cherry tomatoes
5 (quartered)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Fried Tomatillos: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, pour the buttermilk; season it generously with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
2
Take each tomatillo slice, dip it into the seasoned buttermilk, ensuring it is well-coated. Then, dredge it in the cornmeal mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating.
3
In a large cast iron skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully place the coated tomatillo slices into the hot oil, frying in batches if necessary, until they are crispy and golden brown on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the fried slices to paper towels to drain any excess oil.
4
Assemble the Salad Towers: While the tomatillos cool slightly, slice the mozzarella cheese into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Use a round biscuit cutter to trim the edges for perfect circular disks.
5
Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters to add a burst of sweetness to the stacks.
6
To build the towers, take 3 slices of fried tomatillos and 2 slices of mozzarella cheese for each serving. Layer them in this order: one tomatillo slice, one mozzarella slice, a few basil leaves, another tomatillo slice, another mozzarella slice, and a few more basil leaves. Finally, top it off with the last tomatillo slice.
7
Finish each tower with a sprinkle of quartered cherry tomatoes, a few more fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Tomatillo Caprese Towers?
They are a fusion dish combining golden-brown fried tomatillos, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, finished with balsamic glaze and cherry tomatoes.
What ingredients are needed for the tomatillo coating?
The coating consists of stone-ground cornmeal, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How should the tomatillos be sliced?
The tomatillos should be cut into 1/2 inch thick slices with the ends removed.
What liquid is used to help the coating adhere to the tomatillos?
A mixture of buttermilk seasoned with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper is used.
How do you cook the tomatillos?
They are fried in vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy and golden brown.
How long does it take to fry the tomatillos?
It takes approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side.
How should the mozzarella cheese be prepared?
Slice it into 1/2 inch thick rounds and use a round biscuit cutter to trim them into perfect circular disks.
What is the order of layering for the towers?
Layer one tomatillo slice, one mozzarella slice, basil leaves, another tomatillo, another mozzarella, more basil, and a final tomatillo slice.
How are the cherry tomatoes prepared?
The cherry tomatoes should be cut into quarters.
What is used as the final drizzle?
A sweet and tangy balsamic glaze is drizzled over the towers before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
How many tomatillos are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 large tomatillos.
Should the dish be served warm or cold?
It is best served immediately while the fried tomatillos are still warm for optimal flavor and texture.
What type of cornmeal is recommended?
Stone-ground cornmeal is recommended for the best texture.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese.
Is there any spice in the recipe?
A pinch of cayenne pepper is added to the cornmeal mixture for a hint of heat.
What kind of oil should be used for frying?
Vegetable oil is used for frying the tomatillo slices.
How much balsamic glaze is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of balsamic glaze.
What should be done with the tomatillos after frying?
Transfer them to paper towels to drain any excess oil before assembly.
How many slices of mozzarella are used in each tower?
Each tower uses 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
How many tomatillo slices are used in each tower?
Each tower is built using 3 slices of fried tomatillos.
What tool is recommended for trimming the cheese?
A round biscuit cutter is recommended to create perfect circles.
How much buttermilk is needed?
The recipe requires 1.5 cups of buttermilk.
What is the purpose of the garlic powder in the recipe?
It is whisked into the flour and cornmeal mixture to season the breading.
Can I use homemade balsamic glaze?
Yes, you can use either store-bought or homemade balsamic glaze.
What provides the fresh herbal element in this dish?
One cup of fresh basil leaves, washed and with stems removed, provides the herbal notes.
How much butter is included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
What is the recommended pan for frying?
A large cast iron skillet is recommended for heating the oil and frying.
Are the cherry tomatoes added inside or on top of the tower?
They are sprinkled on top of the finished tower along with fresh basil.
What seasons the buttermilk?
The buttermilk is seasoned generously with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.