Freshmozzarellacheesewithtomatoesbasiloliveoil Recipes

CAPRESE ON A STICK (TOMATO BASIL & FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, over low heat, simmer balsamic vinegar until it is reduced by half and is thick, sweet and syrupy. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• Thread 1 tomato, 1/2 basil leaf and 1 bocconcini onto each toothpick. Arrange on a serving plate and lightly drizzle with the baslamic syrup.
• Note: Pearl bocconcini are marble size balls of fresh mozzarella cheese sold in tubs in the dairy isle.

FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE WITH TOMATOES BASIL & OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 1 gallon of water to a boil.
• In the second pot bring 1 gallon of water to warm to almost a boil.
• Place 2 tablespoons salt and as much ice in the third gallon of very cold water in a large bowl.
• Break up the mozzarella curd into small pieces. Coat the curd with 2 tablespoons of salt, and set aside.
• This is where it gets a little tricky. Carefully pour the boiling water over the salted curd. As the curds begin to melt, carefully stir with a wooden spoon when it becomes one transfer it to the pot with the warm water. I wear gloves because the water is hot and needs to be that way to stretch the mozzarella in hot water. The curd will have settled into the bottom of the bowl, and at this point you have to work quickly or risk over-cooking the curd. Using the wooden spoon stir and stretch the mozzarella. By stretching the cheese you insure that all the curds have completely melted. The curds will become incredibly soft and have buttery shine, and also, it smells wonderful. At this point I place the curd in the second bowl of warm water so not to have the cheese get to tough. Form the mozzarella into tomato size balls or larger, your prefrence and then drop the mozzarella into the salted ice water to stop the cooking process. Work quickly, as the mozzarella will start to become rubbery the longer it sits in the hot water.
• Wrap each mozzarella ball tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If it doesn`t get eaten before that.
• Serve the cheese with garden feresh tomatoes & fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, salt and fresh cracked pepper.

FRESH MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO

Steps:

• On round plate, arrange tomato and cheese slices alternately. Drizzle oil and vinegar over tomatoes and cheese. Sprinkle with basil and pepper.
• Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes to blend flavors. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

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.

TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bruschetta Preparation: Place diced tomatoes on a VIVA® towel and salt. Let sit for 20 minutes. Remove to a bowl and mix together with mozzarella and vinegar. Season with salt to taste. Let stand at room temperature while toasting the bread. Place bread slices on a sheet tray in a single layer and bake until edges are golden, turning bread halfway through. Rub one side of toasted bread with raw garlic. To assemble, place a mound of tomato mixture onto slices and drizzle with basil oil. Serve immediately. Basil Oil Preparation: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Drop the basil leaves into the boiling water and submerge them for 5 seconds. Remove them to the ice bath using a spider or slotted spoon. Work quickly. You don't want the basil leaves in the boiling water for too long. Blanching the leaves and then shocking them in ice water will preserve the bright green color. Remove the basil from the water and squeeze dry using VIVA® towels. You want the basil as dry as possible. Remove basil to a blender with the oil. Puree until the mixture is well combined. Place a strainer inside a bowl. Dampen a VIVA® towel with water and line the towel inside the strainer. Pour the basil oil into the strainer. It takes awhile for the oil to strain through. You may need to squeeze it gently to help along the oil. Pour strained basil oil into the neck of a small cruet or a small sterilized jar. Cover the jar or cruet tightly and refrigerate. Use within four days.

TOMATO MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Place tomato slices, alternating with mozzarella slices, on a large serving platter.
• Combine oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella; sprinkle with basil.