Smoked Mozzarella And Roasted Pepper With Olive Dressing On Italian Bread Recipes

SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND RICOTTA FRITTERS

Steps:

• For the Fritters: In a small bowl combine the ricotta, smoked mozzarella, salt, and pepper. In another bowl pour the panko. In a third bowl lightly beat the eggs. Put the flour in a fourth bowl. Line a tray with parchment paper.
• Scoop a 1 1/2 tablespoon ball of the cheese mixture into the flour and roll to coat. Transfer the ball to the eggs and roll to coat. Transfer the cheese ball to the panko and again roll to coat. Transfer the ball to the parchment-lined tray. Continue with the remaining cheese mixture.
• Meanwhile heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees F. Fry fritters in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towel to drain. Sprinkle with thyme. Serve warm with Balsamic Dipping Sauce.
• For the Balsamic Dipping Sauce: Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, and honey in a blender. Blend until combined. Add the oil in a steady stream while the machine is running. Season with the salt and pepper. Serve in a small bowl alongside the fritters.

SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND ROASTED PEPPER WITH OLIVE DRESSING ON ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a blender blend the olives, the lemon juice, the oil, the garlic, and the cayenne until the mixture is smooth and brush the cut sides of the bread with the olive dressing. Divide the roasted pepper, the mozzarella, and the basil among the bottom halves of the bread and cover the sandwiches with the top halves of the bread, pressing them firmly.

MOZZARELLA PEPPERS WITH CHUNKY ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cut the peppers in half, scoop out the seeds and white membranes with a spoon and discard. Drizzle the peppers with a little olive oil from the tomato jar, rub all over and season generously. Roast for 20 mins until softened and starting to char.
• Roughly chop the tomatoes and olives, then mix in a small bowl with 2 tbsp oil from the jar. Cut 4 anchovies lengthways, giving 8 thin strips, then add to the bowl along with the basil leaves. Season with black pepper. Keep the rest of the anchovies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Take the peppers out of the oven and turn the grill to High. Pour any juice out of the peppers, then spoon in a little of the olive mix. Snuggle a mozzarella half into each pepper and return to the roasting tin. Grill for about 3 mins until the top of the cheese has just softened, but not melted. Put the antipasti on a serving platter and add the peppers. Spoon over the rest of the olive mix and splash with a little balsamic vinegar. Enjoy with bread and a glass of wine.

MARINATED MOZZARELLA, ROASTED BELL PEPPER, AND OLIVE BROCHETTES

Steps:

• To Roast Peppers
• Using a long-handled fork char the peppers over an open flame, turning them, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. (Or broil the peppers on the rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat, turning them every 5 minutes, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.) Transfer the peppers to a bowl and let them steam, covered, until they are cool enough to handle. Keeping the peppers whole, peel them starting at the blossom end, cut the tops, and discard the seeds and ribs. (Wear rubber gloves when handling chilies.)
• In a bowl or resealable heavy plastic bag combine the mozzarella, the oil, the garlic, the vinegar, the orégano, the basil, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste and let the cheese marinate for at least 4 hours at room temperature or chilled overnight. Thread a mozzarella cube, an olive half, and a roasted pepper square onto each of the wooden picks and arrange the brochettes on a platter. The hors d'oeuvres may be made 4 hours in advance and kept covered.