The best thing about the Marinated Mozzarella is that you can play around with it and create your own measurements to fit your need.

This recipe for Marinated Mozzarella is less recipe, more method. You can change this up in so many ways, but this is one way that I make this appetizer. You grab a container of some sort. I am sure that you are shocked that I am using a Mason jar. You know how I love a Mason jar. You put some bite size cheese in the jar. Some herbs and spices. Pour some olive oil on top of it. Let it sit and let the flavors fall in love with other. Hard? I think not. Delicious? Oh. Yeah.
I love this in the summer and usually always have some in my fridge. I have been known to plunk down a loaf of crusty bread and some balsamic vinegar with this marinated cheese and call it dinner. Don’t hate.
If you are feeling really fancy, toss this with some lettuce and other veggies and call it a salad. Or, even better, slice some tomatoes and drizzle the marinating oil over said tomatoes and top with the cheese. Or even better yet, put the tomatoes and cheese on pasta and add some chopped basil and some garlic bread. I need to just stop.
You see what I am saying though. Crazy possibilities.

Ingredients //
- Bocconcini mozzarella (the little balls of fresh mozzarella, you can use the big ones, just cut them into bite size pieces)
- Lemon peel
- Salt
- Peppercorns
- Garlic cloves
- Basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
I am not giving exact measurements because the quantity is going to depend on various factors. How much cheese do you have? What size jar? You can play with the flavors. Want a more garlicky cheese? Add more garlic. You love lemon, add more lemon, maybe a little juice. You catch my drift, right?
Instructions //
Step 1:
In your jar, add about one third of the cheese. Layer in the basil leaves, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and garlic cloves. I used about 5-6 cloves and I just cut them in half. Sprinkle with salt.

Step 2:
Keep layering the ingredients until your jar is full. How easy is this?

Isn’t this beautiful?

Step 3 :
Pour a good quality olive oil over the top until the jar is full. Put the lid on the jar and shake it up. Put the jar in the fridge for at least two hours before you are going to serve it. You can keep this in there for about a week I would say. Give it a shake every now and again. Take the jar out about 30 minutes before you are going to serve this. The olive oil will solidify a bit and will return to normal again when it gets back to room temperature.

Step 4:
Pour the cheese and oil into a bowl and serve with some toasted bread. Yum. When bocconcini goes on sale (like this was at Whole Foods) I always buy a few containers. This makes a great make ahead appetizer for a potluck or any party. Tie a cute ribbon or some raffia around it and it makes a great hostess gift.


Marinated Mozzarella
Marinated Mozzarella - I always have this in the fridge to snack on in the spring and summer. Lemony basil mozzarella is great with bread or added to a salad or tossed into your favorite pasta for a quick meal.
Ingredients
- bocconcini mozzarella (the little balls of fresh mozzarella, you can use the big ones, just cut them into bite size pieces)
- lemon peel
- salt
- peppercorns
- garlic cloves
- basil leaves
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In your jar, add about one third of the cheese. Layer in the basil leaves, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and garlic cloves. I used about 5-6 cloves and I just cut them in half. Sprinkle with salt.
- Keep layering the ingredients until your jar is full.
- Pour a good quality olive oil over the top until the jar is full. Put the lid on the jar and shake it up. Put the jar in the fridge for at least two hours before you are going to serve it. You can keep this in there for about a week I would say. Give it a shake every now and again. Take the jar out about 30 minutes before you are going to serve this. The olive oil will solidify a bit and will return to normal again when it gets back to room temperature.
- Pour the cheese and oil into a bowl and serve with some toasted bread. Yum. When bocconcini goes on sale (like this was at Whole Foods) I always buy a few containers. This makes a great make ahead appetizer for a potluck or any party. Tie a cute ribbon or some raffia around it and it makes a great hostess gift.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 11Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only.
Jennifer Rocco
Wednesday 1st of June 2011
Keep the cheese recipes coming...I am an addict!
bakedbree
Wednesday 1st of June 2011
will do!
April Montgomery @ Kitchen Blenders
Tuesday 2nd of November 2010
This recipe is very simple, and I do think that it is the way it should be. Simple to me means good, and in this case, I doubt I am wrong. Cheese tastes very well, and with this combination of ingredients, its flavor will probably be enhanced. I am glad that I am able to find recipes like these to try out for myself.
bakedbree
Tuesday 2nd of November 2010
I love a simple recipe. It only enhances something already delicious.
buttons
Monday 19th of July 2010
I tried making this, ecstatic at the idea that I could replicate this delicious appetizer that my girlfriend just served at her wedding for cocktail hour. I put everything together and it seemed simple and straight forward; however, when I went to serve/eat it, it turned out terrible. The only variable here must have been the olive oil. I used a Bertoli extra virgin olive oil thinking that would work. I guess I was wrong? It seemed like it drowned out the delightful seasonings I put in the jar. Heck, I couldn't even taste the mozzarella. It was all olive oil. Do you have any suggestions?
bakedbree
Thursday 22nd of July 2010
I would definitely use a high quality extra virgin olive oil for something like this. When you are cooking with olive oil, it doesn't really matter. But when it is a main ingredient, it is well worth it to use a good one. I am sorry that this didn't turn out well for you.
Naz
Friday 2nd of July 2010
I am just awe-struck by your blog/pictures/recipes.. everything.. it's all A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I stumbled upon your blog from the Huffington Post and I'm so glad that I did. I will be using many of the wonderful delights you've posted, and I hope that I can return the favor with one of my own creations. Take care, and I look forward to seeing more of your fabulous creations.
bakedbree
Monday 5th of July 2010
thank you so much. I didn't even know about the Huffington Post until I read your comment!
Ann
Saturday 26th of June 2010
PS, I love your blog! All the pictures are BEAUTIFUL!
bakedbree
Monday 28th of June 2010
thank you very much!