Risotto With Tomatoes Olives Smoked Mozzarella Food

SKEWERED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Add the strands of lemon zest to the bagna cauda and stir to combine.
• From each branch, remove most of the rosemary leaves, leaving 1 1/2 to 2 inches of 1 end covered in leaves. Place a bread slice on the work surface, and put a piece of mozzarella on it, followed by a fresh bay leaf, optional. Repeat 1 more time, ending with a slice of bread. You should have a stack that has 3 slices of bread and 2 slices of cheese. Continue with the remaining ingredients, to make 4 stacks total. (If you can't find large rosemary branches, substitute wooden skewers. Soak the wooden skewers in cold water for 20 minutes. As you're assembling, put a few sprigs of fresh rosemary throughout.)
• Using the leafless end of a rosemary sprig, skewer 1 of the stacks through the center, leaving the rosemary leaves exposed on the other end. Turn the stack on its side and, entering from the opposite end, insert another rosemary sprig, leaving the leaves sticking out of the other end. Brush the entire skewer lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Continue in the same manner with the remaining stacks.
• To grill: Place the skewers on the hottest part of a charcoal or gas grill and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, turning frequently, until the cheese just begins to soften and the bread begins to brown.
• To bake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the skewers on a baking sheet and cook about 5 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the skewers to a plate and drizzle with a generous amount of the bagna cauda. Scatter with parsley leaves.
• Using a mortar and pestle, pulverize the garlic and anchovies into a smooth paste.
• Transfer the paste to a small saucepan. Add the butter and olive oil and bring to a simmer over low heat. Continue simmering for about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt, to taste.

BROCCOLI, TOMATO SAUCE AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Boil salted water and cook the pasta for 10 minutes or until aldente. If the florets are big, cut them in half or bite sized pieces. Heat the olive oil and add the garlic and crushed red pepper and tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes or until tomatoes melt and separate from the oil. Meanwhile steam the broccoli florets until tender but cooked through. When the pasta is done, add the mozzarella to the hot sauce, then stir in the penne and broccoli and toss and mix until cheese melts into pasta and ingredients are well mixed. Serve with some grated Parmesan.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES, SALAMI AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Toss the tomatoes in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil, the vinegar and a large pinch each of salt and pepper; set aside to marinate.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Add the warm pasta to the tomatoes along with the salami and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; stir to combine.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the mozzarella, basil and parsley to the pasta; toss until combined and slightly saucy. Add the remaining reserved cooking water as needed to loosen, 1 tablespoon at a time. Season with salt and pepper.

BAKED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA & BASIL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat half the oil in an ovenproof pan or casserole dish, then stir in the onion and cook over a low heat for 8-10 mins until golden. Scatter over the rice and mix well until coated. Pour over the wine, if using, and cook for 2 mins until absorbed. Pour over the hot stock, then give the rice a quick stir. Put the dish in the oven and bake the rice for 10 mins.
• Remove from the oven and stir through the tomatoes, basil, half of the parmesan and some seasoning. Flatten everything out roughly with the back of a spoon, then nestle the chunks of mozzarella evenly into the risotto. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and the remaining parmesan, and drizzle with the rest of the olive oil. Put the dish back in the oven, and bake everything for another 10-15 mins until the rice is just cooked through, heating it under the grill if you want a deep, golden crust. Leave to stand for a few minutes, scatter with a few extra basil leaves and serve scooped straight from the dish.

RISOTTO WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Prepare the escarole and set it aside.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion is wilted. Add the escarole and cook until it is wilted. Add the rice and cook, stirring, about one minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring, about two minutes, or until the wine is absorbed.
• Add the simmering broth, salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring often from the bottom, about eight minutes. Add the mozzarella cheese and olive oil. Cook one minute and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring from the bottom, about three to five minutes.