Chicken Caprese

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350. Pound chicken breast to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness, and trim into a rough rectangle. Pat dry. Mix mascarpone or ricotta with pesto and spread to within 1/2 inch of edge of cutlet. Starting from a narrow end, roll into a cylinder. Tie with kitchen string in two places.

2. 2

   Dry outside of roll and brush with 1 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Roast in oven for about 25 minutes; remove, tent, and allow to cool. When completely cooled, either refrigerate until needed or slice in 1/3 inch slices. There should be 6 to 8 slices.

3. 3

   Choose tomatos about the same diameter as your chicken pinwheels, cut cheese to a similar size. Slice each about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Assemble salads by making a stack of a chicken pinwheel, a cheese slice, a tomato slice, and repeating until you reach the size you wish. Then lean the log to one side, causing the slices to form a neat little layered row, Or arrange them however you wish.

4. 4

   Drizzle with remaining EVOO, add a splash of balsamic, a little more salt and pepper if you want. I love to garnish it with an assortment of olives and a chiffonade of basil leaves.

5. 5

   TO MAKE PESTO: Crush garlic and roughly chop walnuts. Combine in food processor with lemon juice and enough olive oil to make a rough, loose puree. Add basil and process until blended, adding olive oil slowly until the texture you want is achieved.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.