Capri, Campania. The salad represents the Italian national flag (red, white, green) and is named for the island. First documented in the early 20th century, associated with the modernist Hotel Quisisana on Capri.
Mozzarella di bufala campana DOP, in-season tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil. The quality of each component is fully exposed — there is nowhere for inferiority to hide. The salad is room temperature throughout, the mozzarella sliced no more than 30 minutes before serving, the olive oil peppery and green. It is assembled, never dressed in advance.
- Spanish ensalada mixta (tomato and fresh cheese at room temperature — same temperature-dependent quality philosophy); Turkish white cheese and tomato (ezme peynir — fresh cheese with seasonal tomato, same restraint); Japanese tofu and tomato salad (fresh soy milk curd with heirloom tomato, same minimal dressing approach).
Greco di Tufo DOCG from Campania — the volcanic-mineral, high-acid white wine of the region where mozzarella di bufala is produced. The wine and the mozzarella share a geographic and flavour logic. Or a Falanghina del Sannio.