Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Great light salad for summer! Enjoy...

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Tbls. balsamic vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 Tbls. extra-virgin olive oil
• 8ozs fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and patted dry
• 1 C. chopped fresh basil

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt together. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes so that the tomatoes give up some of their juices. 
2.  Strain the tomato mixture thru a fine-mesh strainer, saving the tomato juice and picking out the seeds left in the strainer. Return the tomatoes to the original bowl and pour the tomato liquid into a small saucepan approximately 1/3-1/2 C.
3. To the small saucepan, add the vinegar and garlic. Simmer over medium heat until the mixture is reduced to about 3 tablespoons. This will take about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature and then whisk in the olive oil.
4. Add the mozzarella cheese, basil and cooled dressing to the bowl with the tomatoes and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.