Best Fresh Mozzarella And Tomatoes Recipes

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.

GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat).
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on grill pan to prevent mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Add the tomatoes, cheese, and basil and toss to coat. Season the tomato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 hot grilled mushroom gill side up on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato salad atop the mushrooms, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to finish, about 1 tablespoon and serve.

BOW TIES WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• 1. in a large pasta serving bowl, mix the tomatoes, basil, oil, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Let stand at room temperature up to two hours.
• 2. Bring at least 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta, stir well and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, tender yet firm to the bite.
• 3. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce. Add the mozzarella and toss again. Serve at once. Serves 4 to 6.

ZUCCHINI WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill; the fire should be medium-low and the rack about 4 inches from the heat.
• Cut 1 1/2 pounds zucchini into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Rub zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper; grill, turning once, until nicely browned and tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• As zucchini cooks, slice 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes and 1 pound mozzarella into 1/4 inch rounds.
• Toss (or layer) with the zucchini, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with basil.

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA AND BASIL

Steps:

• For vinaigrette:
• Blend all ingredients in blender until basil is very finely chopped and vinaigrette is thick; season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For salad:
• Cut small skin-deep X on end opposite stem of each tomato. Drop tomatoes into saucepan of boiling water; cook 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to plate. Starting at X, peel skin off tomatoes. Cut 1/3 to 1/2 inch off end opposite stem of each tomato. Using small spoon, scoop out insides of tomatoes, leaving shells intact. Mix cubed mozzarella cheese and chopped basil in medium bowl. Divide cheese mixture among tomato shells, packing gently. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover tomatoes and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Invert 1 filled tomato on each plate. Pour vinaigrette into 6 shot glasses. Place 1 shot glass next to each tomato. Garnish each tomato with basil leaf.

GRILLED FOCACCIA WITH MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA, SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Begin by making the dough so it has time to rest and rise. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a mixer, turn the mixer on low, add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and let it go until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 5 minutes. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the sausages from sticking. Grill the sausages until cooked through, turning with tongs. Set aside. Keep the grill hot to make the pizza. Roll or pat the dough into a rustic, oblong shape, about 1/4-inch thick - do this directly on a lightly floured pizza paddle for ease. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and lay oil side down onto the hot grill. Once the dough looks set, in about 2 minutes, turn the crust over.
• Now prepare the topping. Cut up the tomatoes and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic and basil. Crumble in the sausage. Rip the mozzarella into pieces with your hands and add that too along with some extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, add the salad mix and toss to combine.
• Once the crust is set and cooked, transfer it to a platter. Scoop up the salad mix in your hands and spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with a good dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

PIZZA WITH PESTO, FRESH TOMATOES, AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• At least 1 hour before baking pizza, set stone on lowest rack of oven (if you have a gas stove, stone can go directly on oven floor) and preheat oven to 500°F.
• Coarsely grate mozzarella and cut tomatoes crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. On a floured surface with your hands pat out and stretch dough evenly into a 12-inch round, keeping hands flat. (Do not handle dough more than necessary. If dough is sticky, dust it lightly with flour.)
• Dust baker's peel with flour and carefully transfer inch round. Jerk peel once or twice and, if dough is sticking, lift dough and sprinkle flour underneath it, reshaping dough if necessary. Spread pesto over dough leaving a 1-inch border and sprinkle with cheese. Arrange tomato slices over cheese and season with salt and pepper.
• Line up far edge of peel with far edge of stone and tilt peel, jerking it gently to start pizza moving. Once edge of pizza touches stone, quickly pull back peel to completely transfer pizza to stone. Bake pizza until dough is crisp and brown, about 10 to 12 minutes, and transfer with peel to a cutting board.
• Cut pizza into slices and serve immediately.

GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat).
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes on now if using.
• Drizzle olive oil on grill pan to prevent mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Add the tomatoes, cheese, and basil and toss to coat. Season the tomato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 hot grilled mushroom gill side up on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato salad atop the mushrooms, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to finish, about 1 tablespoon and serve.
• Drizzle with a splash of balsamic vinegar to finish off if desired. Enjoy!

FRESH MOZZARELLA WITH RED AND YELLOW TOMATOES AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange the cheese and tomatoes on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette, to taste, and garnish with basil leaves.;
• Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.

CORN BREAD WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch baking pan. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in large bowl to blend well. Combine mozzarella cubes and remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl; toss to coat. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, olive oil and chopped Italian parsley in medium bowl to blend. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir just to combine (do not overmix). Sprinkle mozzarella cubes and diced tomatoes over batter; stir gently just to distribute evenly.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake corn bread until beginning to brown on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool bread 15 minutes. Cut into squares or wedges and serve warm.

GRILLED PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS WITH TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat).
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on grill pan to prevent mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Add the tomatoes, cheese, and basil and toss to coat. Season the tomato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 hot grilled mushroom gill side up on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato salad atop the mushrooms, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to finish, about 1 tablespoon and serve.

RISOTTO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA, GRAPE TOMATOES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Place vinegar in a small, heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Cook until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon (about 4 minutes). Set aside.
• Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add leek to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until tender.
• Add rice; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in wine, and cook 1 minute or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly.
• Stir in 1 cup broth; cook 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Add remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total).
• Stir in half-and-half, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes, basil, and cheese.
• Place about 1 cup risotto into each of 6 shallow serving bowls; drizzle each serving with 1/2 teaspoon balsamic syrup and 1/2 teaspoon oil.

PASTA WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, FRESH MOZZARELLA, BASIL, AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• 1. Pour the vinegar and salt into a small bowl, add olive oil, garlic and 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt and pepper and mix. Taste for seasoning. 2. Wash and chop the tomatoes. Toss with the balsamic vinaigrette and the julienned basil leaves. Add the mozzarella. 3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta, bring to a boil and cook until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes for fresh pasta or according to the directions on the package. 4. Toss the pasta with 1 teaspoon of olive oil to prevent it from sticking and mix with the tomato-basil salad. 5. Divide the pasta among 4 large, warmed dinner plates. Arrange several spoonfuls of the tomato-basil salad on top.

CORNBREAD WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F.
• Butter 9x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in large bowl to blend.
• Combine mozzarella cubes and remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl; toss to coat.
• Whisk buttermilk, eggs, olive oil and chopped Italian parsley in medium bowl to blend. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir just to combine (don't over-mix). Sprinkle mozzarella cubes and diced tomatoes over batter; stir gently just to distribute evenly.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cornbread until beginning to brown on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool bread 15 minutes. Cut into squares or wedges and serve warm.

WHOLE WHEAT FETTUCCINE WITH ROASTED TOMATOES, PEAS AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• For the tomatoes: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray, and set aside.
• Toss the tomatoes, oil and salt together. Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast until the skins blister and turn dark brown in places, 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the fettuccine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a large serving bowl.
• In a blender, combine the red wine, 1 teaspoon salt, the red pepper flakes, black pepper, garlic, canned tomatoes (plus juices). Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, 20 minutes.
• Toss together the pasta, tomato sauce, roasted tomatoes, peas and chopped basil. Arrange the cheese on top and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA, GRAPE TOMATOES, AND GARLIC CHIVES

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain; return pasta to pot. Add mozzarella; stir until cheese begins to melt, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and all remaining ingredients; toss to blend evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

SIMPLE POLENTA WITH SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• For the polenta:.
• Bring water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Once boiling, add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pour the polenta into the water in a very slow stream from a measuring cup, while stirring in a circular motion with a wooden spoon. Make sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pot well.
• Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Vigorously stir the polenta once every 5 minutes, making sure to scrape clean the bottom and corners of the pot.
• Continue cooking until the polenta has lost its raw cornmeal taste and becomes soft and smooth, about 30 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan and butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• For the tomatoes and mozzarella:.
• During the final 5 minute of cooking the polenta, heat the oil, garlic, pepper flakes and sugar in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and sizzling (about 1 min.).
• Stir in the tomatoes and cook until they just begin to wilt, about 1 min.; season with salt and pepper to taste and set skillet off the heat.
• Spoon the polenta into the individual serving bowls and top with the mozzarella.
• Spoon the tomato mixture with any accumulated juices over the top of the served polenta, and sprinkle with basil before serving.

FRESH MOZZARELLA WITH RED AND YELLOW TOMATOES AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange the cheese and tomatoes on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette, to taste, and garnish with basil leaves. For the vinaigrette, combine ingredients and blend until smooth.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA GARLIC, AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix tomatoes, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, pepper, oil, and mozzarella; set aside. Meanwhile, in a large pot over high heat, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. When the water boils, add 1tablespoon of salt and the pasta, and cook according to package directions until al dente. In a colander, drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the bowl with the tomato mixture. Toss until the heat of the pasta softens the mozzarella, and the pasta and tomatoes are evenly distributed. Add 5 tablespoons of basil and more salt and pepper if desired, and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of basil and serve warm or at room temperature

POLENTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Cut the polenta into 12 equal slices, each about 1/2 inch thick. Heat the oil on a nonstick griddle or wide skillet. Arrange the polenta slices on the griddle. Cook both sides over medium heat until golden and crisp, at least 10 minutes per side.
• Arrange the polenta slices on a large platter. Sprinkle evenly with the tomato, then the mozzarella cheese. Microwave just until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Or, if you prefer, bake the polenta briefly in a preheated 400°F oven in an ovenproof container until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Allow 3 to 4 slices of polenta per serving. Sprinkle each serving with fresh or dried basil, if desired.
• Polenta with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella (this page)
• Spinach Fettuccine with Summer Squash (page 79)
• Simple tossed salad
• Calories: 204
• Total Fat: 9g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 21g
• Cholesterol: 19mg
• Sodium: 197mg