Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint

By Brita, posted 2 months ago

Photo: Sarah Shatz

Amanda & Merrill's Notes:

Brita has a way with flavors -- she understands that the sweet-tartness of plums will cut the cloyingness of balsamic and that both together are just what a rich ball of buffalo mozzarella needs. This is mostly an assembly dish -- is there any better kind of dish for summer cooking? -- once the balsamic is reduced and the plums glazed, all you do is layer the mozzarella with the fruit, syrup, pine nuts and a few flickers of mint. Want to start your next dinner party off with a bang? Now you know how. - A&M

Balsamic vinegar is good friends with buffalo mozzarella. The tanginess of the vinegar is a nice complement to the subtlety of the cheese. Because this recipe is a little bit sweet and a little bit savory it can be served as a appetizer or dessert. Make sure the plums are ripe but firm enough to hold their shape when heated. You can substitute peaches or fresh figs if you don't like the tartness of plums. But I find that it lends a crisp balance to the dish. I have also been known to pile it on top of crostini and serve as a bruschetta. Yum! - Brita

Serves 4 to 6

1 large ball buffalo mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
4 ripe plums, pitted and quartered
1 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 splash olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Put vinegar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Adjust heat to low and simmer until it is reduced nearly three-quarters in volume and thickened to a syrup. About 15 minutes.
Add plums to syrup turning gently to coat and continue to cook for another 4-7 minutes more. Turn off heat and let cool.
Meanwhile assemble mozzarella slices on platter, allowing to overlap slightly and season with salt and pepper to taste. WIth a fork, remove plums from syrup and place atop cheese, then top with the remaining syrup, pine nuts and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Comments (29)Add yours

grazi 15 days ago: This made my mouth water!
Brita about 1 month ago: So glad that some people are making it! ChefJune, would love to see your pic somehow? sounds great! Nectarines are a fantastic sub! I've recently thought of adding some nice thin slices of prosciutto. Yum!
ChefJune about 1 month ago: This is one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. Used regular fresh Mozzarella, and spearmint from my garden. I'm going to play with this even after plums are gone. Thinking nectarines would be a tasty sub. What do you think? Took a gorgeous picture that's on my Facebook page. Thanks, Brita!
ChefJune 2 months ago: I hope this goes with Luciana's Porchetta! I found gorgeous sugar plums in the Greenmarket today, and immediately changed the supporting menu. Can hardly wait to glaze those babies with the Balsamic syrup.
Bevi 2 months ago: I made this today for our semi-annual picnic. It was delicious and so easy to assemble. Because the plums I used were quite ripe, I skipped the cooking of the plums in the balsamic syrup, but let them sit in the syrup as it cooled. Thanks Brita! The dish was a HUGE hit!
TasteFood 2 months ago: Congratulations! Love this recipe.
Brita 2 months ago: Yay! Thanks everyone! I'm so flattered to win with such a simple and easy to prepare recipe. Especially up against the beautiful farro salad. Im so thrilled! I plan to use my winnings for future contests. :)
lastnightsdinner 2 months ago: Congratulations, Brita! It's a lovely dish and I can't wait to try it!
ChezSuzanne 2 months ago: Congrats on your win! Loved this recipe and will be making it again soon!
aargersi 2 months ago: Congratulations! Another one to add to the long "to make" list!!!!
Lizthechef 2 months ago: Congratulations on a terrific recipe, plus you get the funniest video for your memory book ;)
Rivka 2 months ago: Hooray! Love this recipe -- making it tonight for dinner, actually. Congrats, Brita!
witloof 2 months ago: i made this today with crappy plums and cheap balsamic vinegar, and it was really great! my dinner guest was highly impressed that i had gone to so much trouble, ha ha.
AntoniaJames 2 months ago: Tried this over the weekend, using both plums and plouts . . . . used some of my strawberry balsamic vinegar, as that the only balsamic on hand in the required amount, but added a splash of lime juice, and it was delicious! A real crowd-pleaser, not to mention that it's so, so easy to make. Love it!!! ;o)
Dominique Fry 2 months ago: Will try! Cheese + fruit = good combo
ChezSuzanne 2 months ago: Made this tonight - it was really great!
fiveandspice 2 months ago: I love mozarella and fruit! Lovely and creative salad!
kitchengardener 2 months ago: This recipe has such an interesting and unique combination of flavors! Now my question is, I have some vacuum packed curds to make mozzarella with and am wondering if anybody reading this has done it before? Thanks!
Marcia V. 2 months ago: This lookls special
ChefJune 2 months ago: This sounds so good! Where are you located? I haven't seen any plums yet around New York, much less ripe ones!
Brita 2 months ago: Well, I must admit that I didn't hit the farmers market for this one. All ingredients were bought at Whole Foods, I thought it apropos! But I think plums are in season around this time or at least the summer months, no?
ChefJune 2 months ago: I didn't see any plums at Whole Foods yesterday, but then, I wasn't looking for them. I shall be looking next time, as I would love to make this salad. And soon! ;)
jazzdad 2 months ago: I can't wait to try this at my next get together I think it will be a winner! Pignoli nuts, I love to toast them a bit in a pan to bring out their flavor just a bit. Congratulations Brita, this is a great site to be a finalist at!
lastnightsdinner 2 months ago: I am really intrigued by this, and I've bookmarked it to try when plums are in season here - congrats!
Brita 2 months ago: Thanks everyone! I'm over the moon to be a finalist!!
drbabs 2 months ago: Congratulations, Brita. this looks wonderful. I love the plums, too.
WinnieAb 2 months ago: This looks gorgeous and delicious. Love the plums here!
TasteFood 2 months ago: I agree with you about the pairing of mozzarella and a good quality balsamic. Plums would be a lovely complement, and the mint and pine nuts are a brilliant twist. Nice recipe!
cheese1227 2 months ago: Very interesting combination.

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Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint

Amanda & Merrill's Notes:

Serves 4 to 6

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Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint

Amanda & Merrill's Notes:

Serves 4 to 6

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