If you’re looking to make Mozzarella Cheese Slices from scratch or prepare store-bought mozzarella slices in creative ways, here’s how you can do both!
Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Slices
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon whole milk (preferably unpasteurized or pasteurized, but not ultra-pasteurized)
- 1 1/4 teaspoon citric acid dissolved in 1 cup cool water
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid rennet dissolved in 1/4 cup cool water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the milk: Pour the milk into a large stainless-steel pot and add the dissolved citric acid. Slowly heat the milk over medium heat to 90°F (32°C), stirring gently.
- Add rennet: Once the milk reaches 90°F, remove it from heat and stir in the diluted rennet using an up-and-down motion. Cover the pot and let the milk sit undisturbed for about 5-10 minutes, allowing it to curdle.
- Cut the curds: Once the curds have formed and are firm to the touch, cut them into 1-inch cubes using a long knife, reaching all the way to the bottom of the pot.
- Heat the curds: Heat the curds again to 105°F (40°C) while gently stirring to keep them separate. Once the curds reach this temperature, remove from heat and continue to stir for a few more minutes.
- Drain the whey: Pour off the whey, leaving the curds in the pot. Gently press them together with your hands to drain excess whey.
- Stretch the curds: Heat the curds to around 135°F (57°C) by placing them in hot water. At this temperature, the curds will become stretchy. Pull and stretch the curds until smooth and elastic, then shape them into a ball.
- Slice the mozzarella: Once the mozzarella has cooled slightly, slice it into even, thin pieces using a sharp knife.
- Chill and serve: For best results, chill the mozzarella slices in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy them on sandwiches, salads, or in appetizers!
Recipe Notes:
- Storage: Fresh mozzarella is best enjoyed within a day or two. Store it in the refrigerator in a container with some of the whey to keep it moist.
- Seasoning: You can sprinkle the slices with salt, herbs, or drizzle with olive oil for extra flavor.
Using Store-Bought Mozzarella Cheese Slices:
If you’re using pre-sliced or slicing mozzarella cheese blocks, here are a few simple ways to enjoy them:
- Caprese Salad: Layer mozzarella slices with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with salt and pepper for a classic Italian dish.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Use mozzarella slices in a grilled cheese sandwich. Pair with basil pesto or sun-dried tomatoes for a tasty twist.
- Mozzarella Sticks: Bread mozzarella slices, freeze them, and deep-fry or bake them for a crispy, gooey snack.
- Pizza Topping: Lay mozzarella slices on top of pizza for a perfectly melty and stretchy cheese layer.
- Baked Mozzarella: Arrange slices on top of a baked pasta dish, like lasagna, for a gooey, cheesy topping.
Mozzarella slices are versatile and delicious whether homemade or store-bought. Enjoy!