Crafting Delicious Meals With Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, both hot and cold. It pairs well with many different foods, including salad, bread, pasta, meat, chicken, and peppers. When cooked, it adds a creamy texture and a savoury flavour to dishes. Some popular dishes that use mozzarella include pizza, lasagna, grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, and caprese salad. Mozzarella can also be fried to make mozzarella sticks or corn dogs, or baked into dishes like sausage gnocchi or chicken Parmigiana.

Characteristics and Values of Cooking with Mozzarella Cheese

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Mozzarella sticks

To make mozzarella sticks, you'll need to start with the cheese. It's recommended to use a block of whole milk mozzarella that you can cut up yourself, but you can also use string cheese. If using a block, cut the cheese widthwise into 15 sticks, with each stick measuring about 3 inches by 3/4 inch.

Next, you'll need to prepare the coating. Place panko crumbs in a bag and use a rolling pin to crush them until they become fine crumbs. Transfer the crushed panko to a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. In a separate shallow bowl, beat two large eggs. Finally, pour some all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl.

Now it's time to assemble the mozzarella sticks. First, coat each piece of cheese with flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally, roll it in the seasoned panko crumbs. For an extra crispy coating, dip the sticks in egg and crumbs again.

At this point, you can choose to freeze the mozzarella sticks for later or cook them right away. If you're freezing them, place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen mozzarella sticks can be stored for a few days or even up to 12 hours before cooking.

To cook the mozzarella sticks, you can fry, bake, or air-fry them. If frying, heat some vegetable oil or another neutral cooking oil in a skillet. Fry the sticks for about a minute on each side, or until golden and before the cheese starts to leak. If baking or air-frying, use a cooking spray instead of oil, and follow the instructions for your particular device.

Serve your homemade mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping, and enjoy the cheesy, crispy goodness!

Pizza

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pizza, salads, pasta, and chicken parm. It works well as a topping for pizza because it melts easily and has a mild flavour that pairs well with other ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook pizza with mozzarella cheese:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3/4 cups warm water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Your favourite pizza toppings

Instructions:

• Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a small bowl and let it sit until the yeast forms a foam on top (about 5 minutes).
• In a separate, larger bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil.
• Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the larger bowl and knead the dough with your hands. If the dough is sticky, add more flour a few tablespoons at a time until it is slightly sticky.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. You can use a rolling pin or stretch it with your hands—it doesn't have to be perfectly round!
• Place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet.
• Top the dough with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favourite pizza toppings.
• Bake the pizza in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool before serving.

Tips for Using Mozzarella on Pizza:

• If you don't want to make your own dough, you can buy a ball of pizza dough at the grocery store.
• Mozzarella can be frozen, but it is best used for cooking when thawed as freezing changes its texture. Do not freeze fresh mozzarella as it is very moist and will form ice crystals.
• When making pizza, it is important to control the moisture content of the mozzarella to ensure it becomes stretchy and melts properly. This can be done by adjusting the stirring time and draining process during cheese production.

Lasagna

Ingredients:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 tsp. cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 (28 oz) cans Italian tomatoes
• 16 oz. ricotta cheese
• 5 oz. parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 egg
• 1 package lasagna noodles, prepared
• 3 large tomatoes, sliced
• 2 lbs. mozzarella cheese, sliced

Method:

Preheat your oven to 375°F. For the sauce, heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced shallot and cook until tender, then add the minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned, then add salt, pepper, and Italian tomatoes. Simmer this mixture for 30 to 40 minutes.

For the filling, combine the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, and egg together in a separate bowl. Set this aside.

Now, it's time to assemble the lasagna. Place the sauce on the bottom of an ovenproof 9 x 13 dish, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles. Add the ricotta mixture, sliced tomatoes, and slices of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until bubbling and lightly browned.

You can modify this recipe by adding thinly sliced ham, cooked chicken, or vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or broccoli. If you want to add a spicy kick, sprinkle some nutmeg into the sauce.

Mozzarella lasagna is a great dish to make, and you can also experiment with different types of sauces and ingredients to create your unique version. Enjoy your meal!

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Salads

Mozzarella is a great addition to salads, bringing a creamy texture and a refreshing taste. The most popular salad to feature mozzarella is the Caprese salad, a classic Italian dish. To make this, simply layer thick slices of fresh mozzarella with thick slices of fresh, ripe tomatoes, and top with fresh basil. You can also add sliced avocado, slivered almonds, and croutons to the salad for some extra texture. Drizzle with olive oil, a garlic dressing, or a balsamic reduction, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. If you want to make the salad a little heartier, you can add some lettuce, or even pasta.

If you're looking for a different take on a mozzarella salad, you can also try a mozzarella romaine salad. For this, chop up some romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and cucumbers, and toss with fresh mozzarella, vinegar, oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of vegetables, herbs, and dressings.

Bakes

Mozzarella is a mild Italian cheese that melts beautifully, making it perfect for bakes.

Baked Mozzarella with Tomatoes

This is a quick and easy appetizer, perfect for sharing with family or friends. It's best served with crunchy bread. Simply layer mozzarella slices with small cherry or grape tomatoes in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with garlic and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Place under the broiler for 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tomatoes have burst. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Baked Mozzarella with Marinara Sauce

Another easy appetizer, this dish is ready in under 10 minutes. It's best to freeze the mozzarella slices ahead of time, so they don't melt too quickly. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the frozen mozzarella slices in a baking dish and cover with marinara sauce. Bake for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Baked Spaghetti

This is a satisfying and easy bake that will please everyone. Simply cook spaghetti according to the package instructions, drain, and then mix with shredded mozzarella. You can also add other cheeses, such as parmesan. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side salad and breadsticks.

Baked Gnocchi

This is a budget-friendly, midweek meal that's quick and easy to prepare. Simply boil gnocchi according to the package instructions, drain, and then mix with shredded mozzarella, tomatoes, capers, and olives. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and serve.

Mozzarella Pasta Bakes

Pasta bakes are a great way to use up leftover pasta. Try mixing cooked pasta with shredded mozzarella, and other cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also add vegetables, such as broccoli, and protein, such as BBQ chicken or pulled pork.

Meatball Subs

Try these tasty subs filled with meatballs and mozzarella. Simply cook the meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, and stuff into sub rolls with mozzarella. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted.

Melanzane Parmigiana

This classic Italian bake is made with layers of tomato, aubergine, and vegetarian mozzarella, garnished with parmesan. It's a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for sharing with guests.

Frequently asked questions