Mozzarella refers to several variations of Italian cheese that are spun and "cut". A semi-soft cheese, most mozzarella is high in moisture, which causes it to spoil quickly. For this reason, most mozzarella widely used in restaurants is made partly from skim milk, which lowers its moisture content.
Background and History
According to legend, on a cheese farm near Naples, Italy some time before Christ, some cheese curds accidentally fell into a pail of warm water, and that was how mozzarella cheese was invented. Before there was pasteurization or refrigeration, mozzarella cheese was only known near Naples, Italy.http://www.labellamozzarella.com/MozzarellaHistory.htm
Serving Suggestions
Mozzarella Sticks are made by dipping finger sized cuts of mozzarella into breading batter and then frying the battered mozzarella in oil until the outside is light brown and the inside is melted. http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Mozzarella-sticks
Pizza can be topped with mozzarella before it goes into the oven. Pizza crust can also be stuffed with mozzarella before the sauce and toppings are added.http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/tomato-mozzarella-pizza
Lasagna is made with mozzarella cheese, layered in between the pasta and sauce before the casserole is baked. http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,meat_lasagna,FF.html
Mozzarella di Bufala
The most prized of traditional Italian mozzarellas, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is made from the milk of water buffaloes, and must come from the Campania region in southern Italy to be considered authentic. The cheese has a specific curdling, spinning and pickling process to meet the standards set by the European Union. http://www1.american.edu/ted/mozzarella.htm
Mozzarella Stuffed Crust Pizza Recipe
This video shows how to make stuffed crust pizza with store bought pizza dough and mozzarella cheese. Roll out the dough until it is larger than the pizza that you want. Put the cheese around the edges of the dough. Fold the dough over the cheese and pinch to hold it while it bakes.
References
Fast Facts
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Ethnic origin
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Ingredients
Can be made from cow's or buffalo's milk
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Best Known Variety
Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
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Etymology
from Italian: mozzare "to cut off"
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Date originated
BC
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Cooking method
Milk is mixed with citric acid and rennet so that it curds. The curds are then cut up and warmed at human body temperature.
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Usually Served As
Mozzarella Sticks, on Pizza or in Lasagna
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Usually Served With
A breaded crust in Mozzarella Sticks
