by Cheryl Rickey

Created on: June 07, 2009

I am not sure when I became addicted to the delicious combination of fresh mozzarella with tomatoes but I could eat it every day. Typically, I have this as a salad with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil. That is the classic "Caprese" salad. However, I discovered a little local pizza shop who featured an "Other Stuff" sandwich. It was basically a Caprese salad piled onto fresh focaccia bread. Not the type of sandwich you eat while driving (although I've tried!) but it's one of the yummiest sandwiches I've ever had.

I decided to take it one step further at home and I added grilled chicken. This makes two sandwiches, so you can share (or not!). You can also make this without the chicken.

Marinate a 2 chicken breasts in balsamic vinegar overnight in a Ziploc bag

Grill the chicken on a classic outdoor grill or on a panini grill indoorsadding salt/pepper to taste. Slice into 1/4 thick slices

Slice 1/2 lb of fresh mozzarella cheese into 1/4 slices (you can purchase this at your grocery store deli or in any Italian market)

Slice 2 large ripe tomatoes into 1/4 slices

Finely chop a handful of fresh basil.

Slice a very large loaf of focaccia bread (many varieties at a good bakery or supermarket) in half horizontally.

Arrange alternating slices of mozzarella and tomatoes on the bottom slice of focaccia

Put fresh basil, slices of chicken and plenty of balsamic vinegar on top of mozzarella and tomatoes.

Top with remaining slice of focaccia and slice sandwich into two pieces.

This will be FULL and a bit messy to eat! Wrap in foil and keep cold if you are not eating this right away.

Add the balsamic vinegar right before you eat it if you plan to keep this in the refrigerator. This type of sandwich should be eaten as soon as possible to keep it from becoming soggy or to prevent me from finding it and eating it myself.

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