Mozzarella Stick Blt Food

MOZZARELLA FONDUTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the tomato-basil sauce and red pepper flakes to a simmer over medium heat. Cook uncovered until thick, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Place six 5-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet. Divide the sauce equally among the ramekins. Divide the prosciutto among the ramekins. Place the slices of mozzarella between 3 paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Place the slices of mozzarella on top of the prosciutto. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Gruyere on top.
• Broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with grilled bread.

ROAST TURKEY WITH MOZZARELLA AND PEPPERONI STUFFING

Steps:

• For the turkey: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the turkey on a flat surface and sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper. Transfer the turkey to a large roasting pan and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh meat (without touching bone) registers 155 to 160 degrees F, 2 hours 55 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. Transfer the turkey to a flat surface and allow it to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving the meat.
• Meanwhile, place the neck and the chicken stock in a pot and simmer gently until the stock reduces by about half. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the stuffing: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter.
• Cut the reserved turkey heart and gizzard into small pieces and set aside.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the celery and onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the contents to a bowl. Set aside.
• Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until light brown. While the bread is hot, lightly butter both sides of each piece, then cut into 1-inch squares and transfer them to a large bowl. Toss with the thyme, rosemary, sage and some salt and pepper. Mix and set aside. (Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F.)
• Heat a tablespoon of the butter in a small skillet and quickly saute the heart and gizzard pieces, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and add it to the bowl of celery and onions. Stir to blend. Heat a large skillet, add another tablespoon butter and saute the pepperoni over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.
• Combine the celery and onion mixture, breakfast sausage, mozzarella and pepperoni in the bowl containing the toasted bread. Mix to blend, then add the chicken stock to moisten all of the ingredients. Transfer to the greased baking dish and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
• For the gravy: After removing the roasted turkey to rest, place the roasting pan over the burners of the stove over low heat and add the Marsala and mustard. Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan to get the drippings and tasty bits off, until there is almost no liquid.
• Strain the neck out from the stock and pour about 1/2 cup into a small bowl. Whisk the flour into the bowl, taking care there are no lumps. Add the remaining chicken stock and the flour mixture to the roasting pan and whisk to blend. Taste for seasoning. Reduce until the mixture thickens to the desired consistency.
• Carve the turkey and arrange on platters. Serve with the gravy on the side. (If the turkey is dry, ladle a little hot gravy directly on the meat.)

MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Halve the mozzarella and tomatoes and combine in bowl with scallions and herbs. Dress salad with vinegar, olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

THE ART OF PULLING FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In a 4 quart pot bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Pour in the salt and let dissolve. Slice the curd as thinly as possible and place in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot water over the curd until it reaches about 1-inch over the curd.
• With a wooden spoon, begin moving the curd around until it begins to melt. Pour off the hot water and begin lifting the curd and pulling it gently to remove any fibers or bumps. Once the curd is smooth, begin shaping it into balls. Place the balls in the saline for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes remove the curd and place in 2 quarts of fresh water. Serve immediately. Keep at room temperature until finished using. Refrigerate the rest. Last up to 1 week.
• In a 4 quart pot, bring the water to a boil with the salt. When the salt is dissolved, cool the water down to use. Do not place the cheese into the hot saline.

MARINATED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, fan mozzarella. Scatter sliced garlic around on mozzarella. Do the same with the red pepper flakes and the oregano. Sprinkle salt to taste and ground pepper over and around to taste. Drizzle olive oil over mozzarella. Let dish rest for one hour at room temperature for best flavor.

CHICKEN MOZZARELLA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Allow to cook, without stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Stir the chicken around to brown it on all sides. Remove to a plate.
• In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the garlic and onions and stir immediately to start cooking. Cook until the onions are deep golden, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes and 1/2 cup water. Stir until the onions and garlic are mixed in, then add the chicken back to the skillet. Add the parsley and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes.
• Make sure the sauce is bubbly and very hot, then gently stir in the mozzarella. Let sit, undisturbed, until you can see that the mozzarella is very soft, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and pour it onto a platter. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Immediately sprinkle on the Parmesan shavings. Pour on the sauce, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and the chiffonade of basil and serve immediately!

MOZZARELLA EN CARROZZA

Steps:

• Cut the mozzarella into enough 1/4-inch thick slices to cover 2 slices of the bread. Reserve the remaining mozzarella for another use. Top the cheese with the remaining 2 slices of bread, to make 2 sandwiches, and press down to compact.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic, and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Put the bread crumbs on a plate.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, pour the in oil to a depth of 1/4-inch. When the oil is hot, dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, dredge in the bread crumbs, and fry, turning once, until crisp and the cheese has melted.
• Cut each sandwich in 1/2 and serve, while still hot, with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the basil and parsley.