Marinated Mozzarella

Marinated Mozzarella is like the gift that keeps on giving (if it lasts that long). It's an easy appetizer recipe you can make and with a handful of ingredients and light prep work, it comes together in no time. You can use the exact same recipe for use with marinated mozzarella balls as well. The style of cheese just depends on your preference and what you are looking for.

I like this option because you can slice it for guests, then add a cheese knife so that it can be enjoyed in smaller pieces. I really enjoy the presentation of this method as well. This easy recipe is the perfect bite-sized appetizer to add to an antipasto platter or as part of a charcuterie board! Marinated mozzarella is also wonderful for entertaining during New Years or the holiday season because it is such a simple recipe.

Ingredients

• Fresh Mozzarella Ball-the main ingredient; a mild and tender cheese made of cow's milk
• Fresh Herbs-the use of rosemary, fresh oregano, fresh basil, and fresh thyme in marinated mozzarella adds fragrant and very flavorful, earthy notes to the cheese. Dried herbs can be used but the texture and taste will be different. Fresh herbs are recommended for this recipe. For more information on how to substitute for dry herbs, see the substitutions section below
• Sun-dried tomatoes- adds a touch of sweet and tart flavor and a bit of texture; it contrasts well against the soft cheese.
• Fresh roasted cherry tomatoes- adds a more concentrated intense tomato flavor as opposed to using raw tomatoes
• Minced fresh garlic-the robust nature of garlic adds layers of flavor to this marinated mozzarella
• Extra-virgin olive oil- creates a base for all of the ingredients to marinate in
• The exact ingredients are listed on my recipe card below.

What to do with marinated mozzarella

There are so many options as far as what to do with marinated mozzarella. Imagine topping a homemade pizza with marinated mozzarella or enjoying it with a variety of crackers and/or crusty bread as an appetizer. One of my favorite ways to enjoy this cheese is chopped up and added to a salad! This would also be a great appetizer to add to a cheese board. If you'd like to add a bit of sweetness, give it a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

How long does marinated mozzarella last?

After opening the package of this fresh cheese, and marinating it with all of the ingredients, I stored mine in the refrigerator for 4 days. Bear in mind that once the package is opened, the cheese begins to lose its freshness right away and the texture will change over time. Storing it in the refrigerator in an airtight container is a best practice here.

How to make marinated mozzarella

These delicious mozzarella balls are made with simple ingredients; few different fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, grated garlic, and olive oil. Marinated mozzarella with tomatoes is a magnificent pair-in the same way tomato sauce goes with the cheese on a pizza. Using good-quality, robust olive oil is one of the ingredients that really adds to the overall flavor.

1. Re-hydrate sun-dried tomatoes: The sun-dried tomatoes I purchased came pre-hydrated in a jar of oil. If purchasing sun-dried tomatoes without oil it is recommended to slice and soak them in an oil similar to olive oil for 2 hours at room temperature
2. Roast tomatoes- place cherry tomatoes onto a pan, pour extra virgin olive oil over the top, and use fingers to coat tomatoes in oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast in the oven at 425 degrees for ten minutes, tossing with a spatula after five minutes
3. Grate garlic-combine minced garlic with fully roasted tomatoes once they are fresh out of the oven and allow to cool completely
4. Combine all ingredients- combine sundried tomatoes, roasted tomato-garlic mixture, and fresh herbs in a medium-sized airtight container, add sliced mozzarella, and marinate. For best results, marinate for at least one hour. The end result is a highly flavorful, creamy mozzarella that requires just a few minutes of your time.

Variations:

A fun variation to using an entire ball of mozzarella and slicing it yourself would be to make marinated mozzarella balls. It would make the perfect appetizer. These little mozzarella balls can be found in the cheese section of your local grocery store and are about the size of a cherry. The exact same measurements can be used with tiny fresh mozzarella balls; the major difference between the two is that the size of cheese is more suitable for enjoying as finger food as opposed to being eaten on a cracker for example.

Add some red pepper flakes to make them a bit spicier.

Substitutions:

Most of the time I enjoy fresh herbs best, however, you can substitute the fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil for the dried versions. Bear in mind that dried herbs really pack a punch! They're more potent and more concentrated than fresh herbs and a general rule of thumb is that and 1 tablespoon of dried herbs would equal one teaspoon of fresh herbs.

If you make this recipe please rate and review it on the recipe card below. I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @belovedplate https://www.instagram.com/belovedplate/

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