In the Kitchen with Sigona’s Featuring: Buf Creamery’s Mozzarella di Bufala

Summer Caprese

Simple and delicious. You can’t beat a traditional caprese. If you want to add more layers of flavor, experiment with our infused balsamics and olive oils. Serves 2 to 4.

What you need:

• 1 heirloom beefsteak tomato, cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick
• 1 (8 oz.) ball fresh Buf Creamery Mozzarella di Bufala Ovoline, cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick
• Fresh basil leaves (larger is better)
• Sigona’s Fresh Press Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Mix it up! Try one of our many infused oils for more flavor, if desired.)
• Optional: Sigona’s 12-year-aged Balsamic Condimento Tradizionale (Mix it up! Try one our many infused balsamics for more flavor, if desired.)
• Flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions: Working in a pattern, lay out the slices of tomato, basil and mozzarella in a way which suits your serving dish. Drizzle the ingredients with about 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil and a couple teaspoons balsamic, to taste, if using. Sprinkle the dish with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Avocado Toast a la Caprese with a Balsamic Reduction

It may seem basic, but it remains best. Creamy avocado, fresh mozzarella, bright tomatoes and herbaceous basil drizzled with a sticky-sweet balsamic reduction. Heaven on toast. Serves 1.

What you need per serving:

• 2 Tbsp. Sigona’s 12-year aged Balsamic Condimento Tradizionale
• 1 slice of bread, your choice
• Sigona’s Garlic Oil, for brushing (Mix it up! Try Sigona’s Basil Oil or Sigona’s Tuscan Herb Oil.)
• 1/2 to 1 Pee Wee avocado
• About 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 to 3 balls of Buf Creamery Mozzarella di Bufala Ciliegine
• 2 to 3 cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
• 2 large basil leaves, thinly sliced or torn

Variations: Add crumbled bacon, use slices of large tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, incorporate slices of roasted beets, top with microgreens, use heirloom tomatoes

Directions: Add the balsamic to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the balsamic has reduced by about half. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 7 to 10 minutes.

Depending on the bread you use, either toast the slice in a toaster or on the stove top using a grill pan. If using a grill pan, preheat the pan over high heat. Lightly brush both sides of your bread with olive oil; toast the bread for one minute per side. Set aside.

Slice open an avocado and scoop out the fruit into a bowl, discarding the pit and skin. Add lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mash the mixture with a fork, leaving it as chunky or as smooth as desired. Set aside.

When ready to serve, spread the avocado mix on one side of the slice of toast. Top the avocado toast with the quartered mozzarella and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and then top with the sliced basil.

Drizzle the entire toast with the balsamic reduction. Serve immediately.