FRESH MOZZARELLA ANTIPASTI

Fresh Mozzarella Antipasti image

Provided by Yvan Lemoine, Food Network Star Season 8 Finalist

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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2 cups white wine
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
1 head garlic, cut in half lengthwise
1 onion, peeled and quartered
1 bay leaf
1 bouquet garni
2 artichokes
2 to 3 lemons, juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Sugar
Red wine vinegar
5 cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
10 small basil leaves
10 fresh mozzarella bocconcini
Special equipment: 6-inch wooden skewers

Steps:

For the stock: Combine 6 cups water, the wine, carrots, celery, garlic, onion, bay leaf and bouquet garni in a large pot and bring to boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Strain and set aside.
For the vegetables: Trim and peel the artichokes to the heart and remove the choke. Drop the artichoke hearts in a bowl of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to prevent oxidation.
Cook the artichoke hearts in the vegetable stock until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Cut the artichokes into bite-size pieces and toss in a bowl with some salt, pepper, a few drizzles of olive oil, the parsley, red pepper flakes, a little lemon juice, a few pinches sugar and a splash of red wine vinegar.
Cut the tomatoes and marinate with some salt and pepper, a few drizzles of olive oil and a little red wine vinegar.
Heat the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to a syrup. Chill the reduced balsamic vinegar until ready to serve.
Alternate the tomatoes, artichokes, basil leaves and mozzarella on each skewer.
Drizzle a little balsamic reduction over each skewer and season with salt and pepper.
This recipe was created by a contestant during a cooking competition. The Food Network Kitchens have not tested it for home use, therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.