Fresh Mozzarella Tomato Thai Basil And Gorgonzola Piadine Recipes

JOHNNY CARINO'S GORGONZOLA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound chicken breasts until they are 1/2 inch thick season with salt and pepper. Sear chicken in a hot skillet with two tablespoons of oil over medium high heat. Cook on each side for about 4 to 5 minutes or until completely cooked. Remove chicken breasts from heat, and let rest for several minutes before slicing. You may need to add an additional tablespoon of butter or two to the sauce pan to saute the mushrooms. Saute the mushrooms on medium high heat until they are browned. While mushrooms are browning sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Johnny Carino's typically uses penne pasta, but I like to use a fettuccine pasta because I think it holds the sauce better. Prepare sauce by combining half and half and Gorgonzola in a saucepan heating through. The sauce should thicken slightly. Slice chicken into 1/4 inch slices. Add sauteed mushrooms to the sauce, and stir to combine well. Plate pasta by adding 1/4 of the pasta, 1/4 of the chicken slices. Drizzle with sauce, and top with chopped tomatoes and shredded Parmesan.
• If you need to reheat this dish, I recommend leaving all of this unassembled and reassemble just before serving again. If you do not combine the pasta sauce and pasta together while this is refrigerated the sauce won't soak into the pasta.

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, THAI BASIL, AND GORGONZOLA PIADINE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Place the piadine on 1 or 2 baking sheets and spread them with a bit of the tomato paste, then layer with a small amount of the tomato, and sprinkle with the garlic. Arrange mozzarella, basil, and Gorgonzola on top, sprinkle with the Parmesan, then drizzle with olive oil.
• Broil, in batches if necessary, until the cheese melts and the sandwiches are sizzling hot. Serve immediately.

PENNE WITH GORGONZOLA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in chopped tomatoes and basil. Cook until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using spoon, beat butter with Gorgonzola until blended.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Return pasta to pot.
• Whisk Gorgonzola mixture into tomato sauce. Add sauce to pasta and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with Romano and serve.

MOZZARELLA BAR

Steps:

• For the piquillo pesto: Combine the peppers, Parmesan, walnuts, olive oil, salt, chile paste and garlic in a food processor. Puree until smooth and evenly combined. Set aside.
• For the roasted tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Toss the tomatoes with the basil, garlic, olive oil and salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast until softened and beginning to blister, 30 minutes.
• For the mushroom tapenade: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the shallots and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and season with the salt. Cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms have lost all their liquid and are turning golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with the basil, oregano, rosemary and lemon zest. Stir in the pine nuts and remaining tablespoon olive oil. Cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• For the bar: Display all the different types of mozzarella and burrata on platters and plates. Set up a buffet around the cheese options with the 3 homemade toppings, along with the grilled bread and crostini, arugula, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, flaky salt and red pepper flakes. Invite guests to assemble their own bruschetta or salads.

TOMATO & GORGONZOLA SOUP

Steps:

• In a heavy pot saute the onion, celery and carrot in the oil until the onion is soft, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and saute briefly, about 30 seconds.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste, water, basil and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until carrots are tender.
• Remove from the heat, add the gorgonzola, cover and let sit for 3 minutes, stir to blend. Salt and pepper to taste.

WISCONSIN FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO AND BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients.
• Cut tomatoes in 1/4th inch thick slices. Drain mozzarella from water and cut in 1/4th inch thick slices.
• Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella slices on platter. Drizzle with salad dressing. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over top.
• Garnish with basil leaves and let stand 10 minutes to blend flavors.
• Serve with toasted baguette if desired.

PENNE WITH FRESH TOMATOES, BASIL, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Put a large pot of salted water on for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute or less. Add the tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they begin to release some of their juice.
• Cook the pasta in the pot of salted boiling water for 12 to 13 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and basil to the pan with the tomatoes and toss. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Serve the pasta in bowls, equally distribute the fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan between the bowls. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bowls of pasta and serve immediately.

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, AND BASIL COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the tomato, mozzarella, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic, toss well then refrigerate, covered, to marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a saucepan bring the water to a boil and gradually stir in the couscous; remove from the stove, cover, and set aside for 5 minutes.
• With a fork, fluff the couscous then let cool.
• Add the cooled couscous and chopped basil to the tomato mixture in the bowl and toss.
• Garnish with whole basil leaves and serve.
• Note: part-skim mozzarella cheese can be substituted.

FRESH MOZZARELLA & TOMATOES WITH ANCHOVY

Steps:

• Alternate slices of tomato with mozzarella on platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scatter with chopped anchovy. Drizzle entire platter with olive oil and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with slices of a crusty, rustic baguette rubbed with fresh garlic.