Did you know that mozzarella is the second most popular cheese in Britain with only cheddar pipping it to the post? Long a firm favourite in Italian kitchens, mozzarella is now not only made in the UK but devoured in recipes both sweet and savoury. In fact, one buffalo mozzarella from Ireland won a prize in the prestigious World Cheese Awards last year, firmly putting our passion for mozzarella cheese into the spotlight.
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Pizza cheese
Most people first come across mozzarella on pizzas where it traditionally sits
on every flavour combination including the traditional Margherita with its
tricolour topping. Mozzarella melts easily and tends to hold its shape
(particularly when raw) making it a great choice for food recipes topping
everything from lamb chops to griddled aubergine slices. To try an absolutely beautiful home cooked
pizza you could try an Italian Restaurant Dublin company found at sites like forno500.ie. They offer a great selection on their menu
and it’s well worth a visit.
Preparation
Typically, fresh mozzarella is sold in a round ball swimming in water so beware
of spills when you open the packet! Slicing the mozzarella ball in advance of
when you actually want to use it helps to drain the moisture out of the cheese.
Place on some kitchen towel or in a sieve and you’ll help make it less likely
to have an overly soggy base beneath your creamy cheese.
Recipes
Mozzarella is one of those ingredients which can hold its own in the taste
stakes when eaten simply with slices of beef tomatoes, pungent basil leaves and
crescents of avocado. It also adds a creamy note to tomato-based dishes and
stands up to whichever herbs, oils and spices are drizzled over it.
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Kids love mozzarella too, with mozzarella sticks and mini-balls being handy
snacks to eat on their own or incorporated into plates of family food
(decorated to look like faces or not as the mood takes you!).
For inspiration on recipe ideas and the stories behind the foods we love, the
internet is a great place to start with sites being full of culinary nuggets.
For recipe ideas outside of the classics, today’s leading chefs are a great
source of inspiration as found in this article.
Did you know that mozzarella tastes just as delicious in a dessert recipe as it
does in a starter or main course? Just imagine biting into a crispy doughnut
and discovering sugared mozzarella oozing out of the middle. Or creating a
berry cheesecake with mozzarella to wow friends and family.
