MOZZARELLA ROLL

Mozzarella Roll image

Haven't tried this recipe yet but it sounds very interesting and yummy. A must for any mozzarella fan. The mozzarella is actually boiled and formed into a roll. Mmmm..I can only imagine all of the possible filling variations.Serving size is one mozzarella roll that is cut into slices.

Provided by BirdyBaker

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 45m

Yield 1 mozzarella roll

Number Of Ingredients 6

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Ingredients

3 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese (with packing milk)
6 -8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained)
1 (7 ounce) can kalamata olives
5 -6 garlic cloves
1 bunch fresh basil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Steps:

Place packing milk and mozzarella cheese balls into a large bowl on top of a pan of simmering water (double boiler) to heat (melt/soften).
While cheese is heating, seed and chop (mince or dice) Kalamata Olives and set aside. Drain oil from sundried tomatoes and process with garlic and balsamic vinegar to a fine mince and set aside. Chiffanade or mince basil leaves and set aside.
Watch mozzarella as it heats and cut softened pieces with a wooden spatula to expose still cool centers of balls, and turn or fold. The object is to heat all cheese to a very soft consistency but not fully melted; approximately 160 to 170 degrees F.
When cheese is soft and there are no hard clumps pour off as much milk as possible, and pour cheese into parchment lined jelly roll pan. Put another piece of paper on top and roll out with rolling pin or press with your palm to an even thickness about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Pour off any excess packing milk.
Working quickly with a pastry spreader or spatula, spread garlic-tomato mixture, leaving about 2" on end without mixture. Sprinkle olives and basil over tomato mixture and give it a nice grind of pepper.
Pull up end of parchment paper and begin rolling cheese into a log from longest side. Roll as tightly as possible and mold (squeeze) ends shut; more milk or oil may run out. Place roll seam side down, cover with plastic and store in fridge overnight on jelly roll pan.
When fully set slice into 1/2 inch slices and serve.
Remember this is a soft cheese and you will need a very sharp knife or with a length of dental floss. Caution this log will be somewhat soft just as cheese is. If you are transporting it wrap it in double foil as it is delicate.