Marinated Mozzarella

Snacks

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon italian seasoning

1 teaspoon minced chives

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 pound cubed part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Combine the ingredients and marinate

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, crush red pepper, basil, chives and garlic powder. Stir to mix, add the cheese cubes, then stir again to coat the cheese evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Allow the marinated mozzarella to come back to room temperature before serving, as this will make the oil smoother and revive the aromas and flavors.

Marinated Mozzarella Variations

Add citrus: If you want a tangy marinade, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some grated lemon zest.

Go fresh: You can use fresh basil and minced fresh garlic cloves if you want to release those essential oils, as nature intended.

Make it in a jar: For a more visually appealing piece for the table, add the contents to a clear jar for marinating. Pick out the cheese cubes with a toothpick.

Can I make marinated mozzarella ahead of time?

A marinated mozzarella recipe like this one will always benefit from extra time to let those flavors, well, marinate. Make it the night before and leave it to sit in the refrigerator.

What can I serve with marinated mozzarella cheese?

These cheese cubes are great for adding to an antipasto platter of ham, salami and olives. You can also enjoy them with crusty bread, crackers or bruschetta—or simply grab a toothpick and gobble them one by one.

What type of mozzarella do I need?

If your grocery store has the hard, low-moisture mozzarella typically sold in the U.S., that’s the one this recipe is designed for. If you want to make a version to share straight away, you can try a creamy fresh mozzarella in whey. Make sure it’s not too ripe, though, or it will fall apart in the marinade.

In a large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients; add cheese cubes. Stir to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Notes

Made 1/2 recipe of this with no sun-dried tomatoes and substituted italian seasoning for basil. Ised 1/2 the pepper flakes for jill. Was very good.

Nutrition

1/4 cup: 203 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein.