At this point, I have made literally hundreds of breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snack recipes…this is going to be recipe #785 (literally!) on this blog, and there are a whole lot more waiting in line for me to share with you. But out of those hundreds and hundreds, there are a few that stand out in my memory and heart not only for the deliciousness but also for the happy memories. My grandmother’s molasses cookies (one for each hand!), the lemon chicken pasta we made with friends on a fun snowy weekend, and this marinated mozzarella. My mama has been making this on warm lazy summer afternoons for as long as I can remember, and if you ask any of my best friends what their favorite recipe from my mother’s kitchen is, I can almost promise they will all say in unison, “her marinated mozzarella with basil and sun-dried tomatoes!”
It’s a creamy, luscious concoction of creamy sliced mozzarella that has been bathed in olive oil and handfuls of fresh herbs, chopped sundried tomatoes, garlic and just a teeny bit of red pepper. The herbs include fresh parsley, fresh chives, and fresh this…
Basil. The official herb of summer.
And while I am discussing ingredients, if any of you out there live near Secaucus, New Jersey, I have to give a shout-out to Vito’s Bakery, where they make The Best Mozzarella In The Entire World. Creamy, dreamy, perfect, melt in your mouth mozzarella. Save some for me.
Back in my mom’s kitchen, she lets the cheese sit in this glorious marinade for about two hours, and just about the time that folks are getting hungry, she brings it out with a basket full of soft sliced Italian bread, which is perfect for slathering on not only the cheese but also mopping up that crazily good marinade. Because when it comes to this particular recipe, it is impossible to leave one single morsel behind.
Right, all my friends who have ever been to my mom’s house on a marinated mozzarella day?
Marinated Mozzarella with Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 appetizer servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound chilled mozzarella (you want it chilled so it is easier to cut)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons each chopped fresh parsley, chives and basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped sundried tomatoes
- Extra whole basil leaves for garnish
- Sliced Italian bread for serving
Instructions
- Arrange overlapping slices of cheese in a shallow serving dish.
- Stir oil, herbs and tomatoes together and drizzle over cheese.
- Cover cheese with plastic wrap and let it marinate at room temperature for 2 hours.
- Garnish with basil leaves and serve with sliced Italian bread.
ruthie says
Have you been peeking in my fridge? ;) This is what’s on my dinner menu today. With a plate of that and some good, crusty bread, who needs anything else?
Lucky lucky you!!
Lusine says
This sounds amazing! And I completely agree…anything with fresh basil feels like summer :)
Yes! Basil and tomatoes = summer! :)
Rachel says
Made this on Friday with my neighbour’s donated olive oil from her Italian home. Delicious.
A perfect end of the week treat!
Blewits says
Thanks Kate. Never thought of doing this with sun-dried. I have all ingredients already in my pantry or growing! Perfect for tomorrow night!
Hope you loved it as much as we do!
Nessa says
Nom nom :)
What you said. :)
Joanne says
This is summer. Epitomized.
I agree 100%! Happy summer my friend. :)
Tracey says
The sundried tomatoes — should they be the dried kind in a bag or the kind already in oil?
You can use either, but we like the kind in oil best. If you use the dried kind, make sure you soak them in a little hot water first to soften them up. Happy mozzarella!
Rob says
I’m your brother and I approve this recipe.
Wow! I am honored on so many different levels. :) and xox
Candice@NotesFromABroad says
Ahhh, summer in NY and I am back to enjoy the amazing tomatoes from the farms around us and fresh mozzarella that is sold in all the markets.
We have been buying fresh baked loaves of bread and make mozzarella and tomato sandwiches too :)
One of the many reasons I am happy you are back in the good old USA!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Delicious!!! Mozzarella and I go way back…Love it!!!
It’s a relationship that should never end! :)