Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Brita

June14,2010

5

1 Ratings

  • Serves 4 to 6

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

Balsamic vinegar is good friends with buffalo mozzarella. The tanginess of the vinegar is a nice complement to the subtlety of the cheese. Because this recipe is a little bit sweet and a little bit savory it can be served as a appetizer or dessert. Make sure the plums are ripe but firm enough to hold their shape when heated. You can substitute peaches or fresh figs if you don't like the tartness of plums. But I find that it lends a crisp balance to the dish. I have also been known to pile it on top of crostini and serve as a bruschetta. Yum! - Brita —Brita

Test Kitchen Notes

Brita has a way with flavors -- she understands that the sweet-tartness of plums will cut the cloyingness of balsamic and that both together are just what a rich ball of buffalo mozzarella needs. This is mostly an assembly dish -- is there any better kind of dish for summer cooking? -- once the balsamic is reduced and the plums glazed, all you do is layer the mozzarella with the fruit, syrup, pine nuts and a few flickers of mint. Want to start your next dinner party off with a bang? Now you know how. - A&M —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved
  • Your Best Recipe Using Fresh Mozzarella Contest Winner

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 large ball buffalo mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • 4 ripe plums, pitted and quartered
  • 1 1/2 cupsbalsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cupfresh mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cuppine nuts, toasted
  • 1 splasholive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
  1. Put vinegar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Adjust heat to low and simmer until it is reduced nearly three-quarters in volume and thickened to a syrup. About 15 minutes.
  2. Add plums to syrup turning gently to coat and continue to cook for another 4-7 minutes more. Turn off heat and let cool.
  3. Meanwhile assemble mozzarella slices on platter, allowing to overlap slightly and season with salt and pepper to taste. WIth a fork, remove plums from syrup and place atop cheese, then top with the remaining syrup, pine nuts and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Tags:

  • Cheese
  • Mint
  • Mozzarella
  • Pine Nut
  • Plum
  • Vinegar
  • Make Ahead
  • Summer
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Appetizer
  • Hors D'Oeuvre
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Recipe Using Fresh Mozzarella

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Rebecca Cherry

  • Laura L Soohen

  • Amy White Stout

  • QueenSashy

  • Jocelyn Grayson

Popular on Food52

40 Reviews

Rebecca C. July 13, 2015

That's a tasty app! Despite my disaster of neglectfully overcooking the fruit in the syrup to the point where all that remained was its skins. Thankfully, still usuable, just sweeter and thicker. I set mozzarella balls (ciliegine) on a bed of baby arugula, then, drizzled and layered from there. Yum! No crostini, necessary. Thanks Brita for a great gluten free serving alternative of a classic flavor combination.

koc July 8, 2015

Absolutely delicious! Easy and quick to prepare, beautiful presentation AND delicious!!! Used nectarines and chopped pecans simply because that's what I had on hand. Substituted basil because some family members don't like mint. Looking forward to making this often! Thanks Brita.

Laura L. November 13, 2014

any chance you could substitute plums with an in season winter fruit like pears by chance?? or any other suggestions? thanks! looks delicious!

Brita November 13, 2014

Yes I think pears would be the perfect choice and much easier to find year round! go for a firmer pear like bosc or comice. good luck!

Robert J. September 16, 2015

I used figs, delicious as well.

fran April 4, 2014

I am not a mint person. Can you suggwst something else. Cilantro? Or too strong?

Brita April 13, 2014

I would say basil would be the perfect substitute! Hope you enjoy

Amy W. August 30, 2013

Could the plums be made ahead of time? I am hosting a party and looking for dishes that require minimal cooking the day of.

Thanks!

QueenSashy January 7, 2013

I have been meaning to leave a comment for a long time and keep being sidetracked… This is a dish that helped me discover Food52, I saw a picture of it on Pinterest, or was it Facebook, and thought OMG, what a beautiful dish. I made it so many times this summer and fall and cannot wait for the summer to make it over and over again.

Jenniferino October 21, 2012

Delicious, beautifully presented, easy salad. I substituted mozzarella for burrata and tasted fantastic. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

Jocelyn G. September 4, 2010

Made this for a dinner party last night. It was absolutely delicious. Will definitely make it again. Thanks!

grazi August 18, 2010

This made my mouth water!

Brita July 5, 2010

So glad that some people are making it! ChefJune, would love to see your pic somehow? sounds great! Nectarines are a fantastic sub! I've recently thought of adding some nice thin slices of prosciutto. Yum!

ChefJune July 5, 2010

This is one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. Used regular fresh Mozzarella, and spearmint from my garden. I'm going to play with this even after plums are gone. Thinking nectarines would be a tasty sub. What do you think? Took a gorgeous picture that's on my Facebook page. Thanks, Brita!

ChefJune July 4, 2010

I hope this goes with Luciana's Porchetta! I found gorgeous sugar plums in the Greenmarket today, and immediately changed the supporting menu. Can hardly wait to glaze those babies with the Balsamic syrup.

Bevi July 3, 2010

I made this today for our semi-annual picnic. It was delicious and so easy to assemble. Because the plums I used were quite ripe, I skipped the cooking of the plums in the balsamic syrup, but let them sit in the syrup as it cooled.

Thanks Brita! The dish was a HUGE hit!

TasteFood July 1, 2010

Congratulations! Love this recipe.

Brita June 30, 2010

Yay! Thanks everyone! I'm so flattered to win with such a simple and easy to prepare recipe. Especially up against the beautiful farro salad. Im so thrilled! I plan to use my winnings for future contests. :)

lastnightsdinner June 30, 2010

Congratulations, Brita! It's a lovely dish and I can't wait to try it!

TheWimpyVegetarian June 30, 2010

Congrats on your win! Loved this recipe and will be making it again soon!

aargersi June 30, 2010

Congratulations! Another one to add to the long "to make" list!!!!

Lizthechef June 30, 2010

Congratulations on a terrific recipe, plus you get the funniest video for your memory book ;)

Rivka June 30, 2010

Hooray! Love this recipe -- making it tonight for dinner, actually. Congrats, Brita!

Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What are the best ways to eat buffalo mozzarella? ›

10 Ways to Enjoy Mozzarella Di Bufala
  1. Lasagna. Thinly slice your Mozzarella di Bufala and layer between pasta sheets and ricotta for an even more delicious cheese layer in this famous dish. ...
  2. Pizza. ...
  3. Bruschetta. ...
  4. Prosciutto Wraps. ...
  5. Spinach, Pea, & Herb Salad. ...
  6. Eggs. ...
  7. Arancini. ...
  8. Salt, Oil, Pepper.
May 6, 2015

Should fresh mozzarella be stored in water? ›

To keep mozzarella cheese from spoiling, the remaining cheese unused must be stored in a refrigerator and placed in a container filled with water. When the color of the water where the mozzarella cheese is stored turns murky, immediately change the water.

How long can you keep fresh mozzarella once opened? ›

Once you open it, fresh mozzarella or burrata will keep refrigerated for five days. Same goes for shredded mozzarella, despite whatever date is stamped on the package. Loaf mozzarella has a 21-day refrigerator shelf life once opened, and smoked mozzarella will keep for 28 days, according to Strange.

How does mozzarella di bufala taste? ›

While fior di latte tends to be quite mild in taste, buffalo mozzarella is much saltier, with a slight tang. It is rich and mildly pungent, but not overpowering, making it the perfect pairing for the sweet acidity of tomatoes.

What kind of buffalo is used for buffalo mozzarella? ›

Buffalo mozzarella (Italian: mozzarella di bufala; Neapolitan: muzzarella 'e vufera) is a mozzarella made from the milk of the Italian Mediterranean buffalo. It is a dairy product traditionally manufactured in Campania, especially in the provinces of Caserta and Salerno.

Should you melt buffalo mozzarella? ›

Yes, you can melt buffalo mozzarella, and it can make a great addition to many different recipes.

What happens if mozzarella is not refrigerated? ›

It's important to note that while leaving cheese out for longer than four hours unrefrigerated may not always pose a health risk, it may change in taste, flavor, quality, or texture as time passes.

Why does fresh mozzarella not melt well? ›

Fresh mozzarella does not melt well because it is stored in brine. Because of the high moisture content, fresh mozzarella releases water when it melts. This can ruin your pizza and make it watery. You can use processed mozzarella in your pizza, or you can use a mix of milk, half-and-half, or cream.

How long does mozzarella in olive oil last? ›

Step 2: Add the mozzarella balls, stir to fully coat. Step 3: Allow to marinate for an hour or longer. The longer they marinate, the better the flavors will be. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

Can I eat 2 day expired mozzarella? ›

So long as you still like the taste, the cheese is fine. Just be aware that the flavor will intensify on most cheeses over time. If the small bite of cheese makes your tongue, lips or cheek tingle or burn, the cheese is bad (even if it passed the look and smell tests).

How long does buffalo mozzarella last? ›

Fresh buffalo mozzarella, on the other hand, can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. In any case, it is always better to consume it as soon as possible. It can last a few days longer if kept in the refrigerator but some of the product's organoleptic properties can be lost in this case.

Can I freeze buffalo mozzarella? ›

But the shelf life of dairy products can be short, and if you're trying to cut costs by buying bulk or reducing delivery frequency, then you risk ingredients reaching their use-by date before you've got to them. The good news is that many dairy products, including mozzarella, freeze incredibly well.

What is the difference between mozzarella and buffalo mozzarella? ›

Instead of being made from cow's milk, bufala mozzarella is made with milk from Italian buffaloes. The flavor profile is considerably different, adding a tangier and richer taste than regular mozzarella. This added flavoring comes at a cost, however, as bufala mozzarella is twice as expensive as other types.

Do Italians eat buffalo mozzarella? ›

There's no doubt about it, buffalo mozzarella deserves its spot as Italy's favourite cheese. Besides its deliciousness, it's also endowed with versatility in how you eat it.

Do you drain buffalo mozzarella? ›

Adding fresh mozzarella straight from the brine will result in puddles of cheese water on your pizza, weakening the crust and mucking up the sauce. To avoid this, it's best to drain it for 15 minutes before using it. To prepare mozzarella balls, first, drain any liquid out of them.

What is the best way to eat mozzarella? ›

But really, the way fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta and burrata are eaten and enjoyed in Italy, is on their own. Just put them on a plate, and serve with bread. If it's summer, then by all means bring out the tomatoes.

Is buffalo mozzarella healthier than regular? ›

Buffalo mozzarella cheese is lower in fat and calories than other types of mozzarella cheese. It is also a good source of protein and calcium. Buffalo mozzarella cheese is considered a healthy cheese option and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Is buffalo mozzarella best for pizza? ›

Buffalo Mozzarella, also known as mozzarella di bufala, is a kind of cheese from Italy. The cheese is richer in fat and taste than regular cow's milk cheese. It has a butter-like flavor, which is perfect for pizza, according to many.

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