ifif1938's Full Review: Fresh Mozzarella (Belgioioso) 16 Oz (453g)
There are some dishes I find that are hard to resist when I'm hungry and reading a good Italian menu even though I know I can make it myself. One of those dishes is a Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil salad.
But when I'm home and that craving hits especially, when I am going to make some sort of Italian dinner or even a meal with a French theme, like my Coq au Vin, I like to prepare it myself if I have the ingredients on hand or purchased them just for that particular meal.
Fresh BelGioioso Mozzarella Cheese is one of my favorites which I find in my local Publix market and it suit’s the bill just perfectly. This is a soft white cheese, made from cow's milk, and is packed sealed in clear plastic wrap with a little water to keep it fresh…. every one I've ever purchased has been perfectly fresh with a "use by" date of at least a week so the pressure isn't on if you change your mind for that nights meal and can have it on hand when you need it. Its delicate flavor is really delicious and absorbs the flavor of whatever dressings or herbs you use with it.
A package costs about $5.00 and change.
A Little History
Over a hundred years ago, in Italy, the first cheese was made by the grandfather of the family who now runs this company; BelGioioso Cheeses. When they came to this country in 1979, their goal was to make the best cheese possible using only the finest ingredients, the freshest milk, and to use the most authentic recipes handed down from generations. This company can now boast the fact that it has won many awards for their fine line of Italian cheeses for over 30 years. They pride themselves on using only the best, state of the art facilities that are based in Wisconsin. There are five locations where the cheese is made and each one specializes on one particular type of cheese, then they age them, package them and do their own shipping so they know that they control the quality of each and every item that leaves their premises.
All that might explain the good, clean freshness of the Fresh Mozzarella I buy each and every time.
But what do I do with it?
Basically there are three ways I use BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella
One is the classic Caprese salad I mentioned already. Just cut the cheese in about 12 inch slices, put each piece on top of a slice of tomato. Or, you can use the little grape tomatoes, yellow and red for a colorful salad, then add fresh basil on top. Some people use small chopped pieces of basil but I like to use a whole leaves and since I always have or try to have, a fresh basil plant growing on my windowsill. Just add a leaf on top of each wedge of cheese and tomato, then drizzle with a bit of fine Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar. That's it! So easy and so delicious, you would think you have traveled to Italy or even France since I've seen it on many menus, especially in the South.
Or take one baguette, slice open and assemble the same ingredients on the bread. Cut in half, sit back and enjoy.
Then another of my newest favorites. Take that same baguette or any other bread you might like, put on some slices of smoked salmon, Nova or lox, I prefer the less salty Nova, then add sliced tomatoes and the thin slices of the cheese. A few capers are also nice to add. You can use that oil and vinegar to taste or not at all if you prefer. This is a truly delicious combination of flavors your taste buds will thank you.
There really so many different things you can do with BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Just use your imagination. Since this is a mild cheese it blends will with so many flavors of different food groups. My hubby like to take small pieces and put them on top of pasta dishes just before serving so they get warm but not melted. And of course he adds a bit of basil on top.
And one of the great things about this cheese is that it's not heavy tasting or filled with calories, one serving size is and ounce which contains 80 calories, 6 grams of fat, no trans fats, 20 mg of cholesterol, 80 mg of sodium, no carbs, no fiber and 5 big grams of Protein.
So, for the old world flavor of classic Italian or French dishes, right in your own kitchen, try BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella it's Bellisimo!
The only ingredients in this package are: Pasteurized milk, vinegar, enzymes, salt
This cheese won the first place 2008 American Cheese Society, best of class Award
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