Imen Dridi Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls are made of fresh mozzarella pearls, olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Ideal for serving 8, they require at least 2 hours to marinate for full flavor infusion, enhancing any meal or gathering.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe:
- Flavorful Delight: The combination of fresh herbs, rich olive oil, and spicy red pepper flakes creates a deeply flavorful marinade that infuses the mozzarella balls with a delicious taste, making each bite a delightful experience.
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients, ensuring you can prepare this dish without the need for a special trip to the grocery store. The simplicity of the ingredients highlights the natural flavors of the cheese and herbs.
- Easy to Prepare: With minimal prep time and no cooking required, this recipe is incredibly easy to put together. It’s perfect for busy individuals or those looking for a quick and impressive dish to serve guests.
- Satisfying Texture: The creamy texture of fresh mozzarella, combined with the slight crunch of red pepper flakes and the freshness of the herbs, creates a satisfying sensory experience in both taste and texture.
❓ What Is Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe?
Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls recipe consists of fresh mozzarella pearls soaked in an olive oil-based marinade with chopped fresh herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, offering a flavorful appetizer or salad addition perfect for any occasion.
🧂 Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp. fresh red pepper flakes
🍥 How To Make Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Begin by draining the fresh mozzarella pearls to remove any excess liquid. This helps the oil and herb marinade adhere better to the cheese.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley, and thyme for a variety), salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh red pepper flakes. Mix these ingredients well to ensure the flavors meld together.
- Add the drained mozzarella pearls to the bowl with the marinade. Gently toss the mozzarella with the marinade until each pearl is evenly coated with the oil and herb mixture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Refrigerate and let the mozzarella marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will become.
- After marinating, let the mozzarella come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. This enhances the flavors and texture of the cheese. Serve the marinated mozzarella balls as a standalone snack, as part of a cheese platter, or use them to enhance salads or appetizers.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Quality of Olive Oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the marinade. The flavor of the oil is crucial as it forms the base of your marinade, so selecting a good quality oil can make a big difference in the end result.
- Marinating Time: Although a minimum of 2 hours is recommended for marinating, letting the mozzarella pearls marinate overnight will deeply infuse them with the flavors of the herbs and spices.
- Add-ins: For an extra flavor boost, consider adding other ingredients to the marinade, such as minced garlic, lemon zest, or balsamic vinegar. These add-ins can introduce new dimensions of flavor.
- Room Temperature Serving: Allowing the mozzarella to come to room temperature before serving isn’t just about texture; it’s about maximizing flavor. Cold temperatures can mute the flavors, so this step is crucial.
🥗 What To Serve With Marinated Mozzarella Balls?
Serve Marinated Mozzarella Balls with crusty bread, assorted olives, cured meats like salami or prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves for a Mediterranean-inspired platter they also pair well with fresh salads, grilled vegetables, or as a topping for pizzas.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Marinated Mozzarella Balls?
- Refrigerator: Store the leftover marinated mozzarella balls in an airtight container, ensuring they’re fully submerged in the marinade keep them refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the mozzarella balls in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container use within 2 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
🚫 How To Reheat Leftovers Marinated Mozzarella Balls?
It’s not recommended to reheat marinated mozzarella balls as they are meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Reheating can alter their texture and diminish the flavors of the marinade.
FAQ’S
Can I use any type of mozzarella for Marinated Mozzarella Balls?
Yes, while mozzarella pearls are ideal for their convenience and size, you can also cut larger pieces of fresh mozzarella into bite-sized chunks.
What herbs work best in Marinated Mozzarella Balls?
Basil, parsley, and thyme are classic choices, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram also work well, offering a range of flavors to explore.
Are Marinated Mozzarella Balls healthy?
In moderation, they can be part of a healthy diet mozzarella is a good source of protein and calcium, but be mindful of the fat content from the cheese and olive oil.
How long should I marinate the mozzarella?
For best results, marinate for at least 2 hours, but overnight marination is optimal for deeper flavor infusion.
Are Marinated Mozzarella Balls gluten-free?
Yes, they are gluten-free, always check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they haven’t been processed in a facility that handles gluten-containing products.
Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 518
- Total Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
- Sodium: 724mg
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 21g
Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Description
Pioneer Woman Marinated Mozzarella Balls are made of fresh mozzarella pearls, olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Ideal for serving 8, they require at least 2 hours to marinate for full flavor infusion, enhancing any meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by draining the fresh mozzarella pearls to remove any excess liquid. This helps the oil and herb marinade adhere better to the cheese.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley, and thyme for a variety), salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh red pepper flakes. Mix these ingredients well to ensure the flavors meld together.
- Add the drained mozzarella pearls to the bowl with the marinade. Gently toss the mozzarella with the marinade until each pearl is evenly coated with the oil and herb mixture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Refrigerate and let the mozzarella marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will become.
- After marinating, let the mozzarella come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. This enhances the flavors and texture of the cheese. Serve the marinated mozzarella balls as a standalone snack, as part of a cheese platter, or use them to enhance salads or appetizers.
Notes
- Quality of Olive Oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the marinade. The flavor of the oil is crucial as it forms the base of your marinade, so selecting a good quality oil can make a big difference in the end result.
- Marinating Time: Although a minimum of 2 hours is recommended for marinating, letting the mozzarella pearls marinate overnight will deeply infuse them with the flavors of the herbs and spices.
- Add-ins: For an extra flavor boost, consider adding other ingredients to the marinade, such as minced garlic, lemon zest, or balsamic vinegar. These add-ins can introduce new dimensions of flavor.
- Room Temperature Serving: Allowing the mozzarella to come to room temperature before serving isn’t just about texture; it’s about maximizing flavor. Cold temperatures can mute the flavors, so this step is crucial.
