Skewered Mozzarella Balls In Romaine Food

SKEWERED MOZZARELLA BALLS IN ROMAINE

Steps:

• Preheat outdoor grill to medium heat or preheat broiler.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the romaine in the salted water for about 30 seconds, or until the central rib is just tender enough to bend. Remove and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry.
• Lay romaine leaves out on a counter, outer rib side down. Cut out the wide rib section, or flatten it with your hands. Place a piece of cheese in the middle of each leaf. Top with about 1 tablespoon of the prosciutto. Season with salt and pepper. Make a neat package by folding the leaves around the cheese like an envelope. Place them seam side down. Run a skewers through each package. Brush each with olive oil. Refrigerate if not grilling immediately.
• Grill cheese packages over medium heat or broil about 4 inches from the heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes and turn over. The cheese should begin to weep. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes or until the packets are lightly browned. Top with Sun-dried Tomato Dressing and serve.
• In a bowl, mix the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, vinegar and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Cut mozzarella in half, then into eight 3/4" slices.
• Place ingredients on the skewers in the following order: bread, tomato, basil, mozzarella, tomato, basil, mozzarella and bread. Set aside while you make the sauce.
• Mix all the sauce ingredients (everything following the skewers) together in a saucepan and warm for 1-2 minutes before serving. You don't want the tomatoes to break down, but rather just to be warmed.
• Brush the skewered mozzarella and tomato with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill over high heat on both sides until the bread is lightly toasted and the cheese begins to melt, about 30-45 seconds per side.
• Spoon the sauce onto 4 warm dinner plates. Set the skewers neatly on top of the sauce, slide out the skewers and serve.

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.

FRIED MOZZARELLA SANDWICH SKEWERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to lowest setting.
• Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a shallow 9x9 baking dish.
• Beat until well mixed and set aside.
• Place flour in another shallow pan and set aside.
• Trim crusts off bread slices.
• Using 8 slices of bread, make a stacked sandwich, fitting the mozzarella between slices.
• Imagine the stack divided into 4 equal quadrants.
• Stick a sturdy skewer right through the center of each one of the quadrants.
• Using a serrate-edge knife, cut the stack downwards, so there are 4 separate stacks with a skewer through the center of each.Repeat with the remaining bread slices and cheese.
• Pour enough oil into a heavy pan to reach 1 1/2 inches deep.
• Bring oil up to 350 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels.
• Dredge each skewered sandwich in the flour, to coat lightly.
• Dip each skewer sandwich in the egg mixture and allow to drain briefly.
• Don't soak the bread till it's soggy, just lightly coat.
• Place skewers in oil, frying and turning with tongs until golden brown and crusty, about 4 minutes a side.
• Repeat as necessary until all skewers are cooked.
• Set all aside on paper towels to drain.
• SAUCE:.
• Heat olive oil and garlic in a heavy pan over medium heat until garlic is golden.
• DO NOT OVERCOOK the garlic as it will become bitter.
• Stir anchovies into oil until they dissolve.
• Add capers and cook until they begin to sizzle.
• Add lemon juice and white wine.
• Bring all to a vigorous boil and add the stock.
• Boil until thickened slightly, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the parsley and remove from heat.
• Plate the sandwiches, 2 to a plate.
• Remove the skewers if desired.
• Serve the sauce in bowls on the side or poured around the sandwiches on the plate.