Fennel Caprese Salad with Tomato Jam Toasts

Name: Fennel Caprese Salad with Tomato Jam Toasts
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H35M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H40M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H25M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, chopped; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon anise seed; Kosher salt; 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons roughly chopped fennel fronds; 2 medium fennel bulbs, quartered, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise; 4 bunches watercress (about 12 ounces); 1 pound fresh mozzarella, torn into 1-inch-pieces; 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn; Kosher salt; 12 thin slices baguette

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Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 25 min

Prep: 35 min
Inactive: 10 min
Cook: 40 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 25 min

Prep: 35 min
Inactive: 10 min
Cook: 40 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Tomato Jam:

2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon anise seed

Kosher salt

Salad:

2/3 cup balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons roughly chopped fennel fronds

2 medium fennel bulbs, quartered, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise

4 bunches watercress (about 12 ounces)

1 pound fresh mozzarella, torn into 1-inch-pieces

1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Kosher salt

12 thin slices baguette

Directions

1. For the tomato jam, combine the tomatoes, sugar, anise and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring and scraping the bottom occasionally, until the mixture reaches a jam-like consistency, about 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
2. For the salad, in a large bowl, stir together 1/4 cup of the tomato jam, the balsamic, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons fennel fronds. Add the sliced fennel and watercress, toss together with the dressing and season with salt. Transfer the salad to a platter and scatter with the mozzarella.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly brush the baguette slices with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate. Spread the toasts with the remaining tomato jam and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon fennel fronds.