Tag: fresh mozzarella

Grilled Caprese Chicken

It’s getting hot.

I was wanting something light and refreshing this week, but still full of flavor. Enter the Caprese Salad. It’s a simple salad that’s generally comprised of sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar. Easy enough.

I was scoping out the produce isle a few weeks ago when I spotted something new and exciting. Perhaps seasonal? Kumatoes. They are pre-packaged darkly colored tomatoes. Really. They’re a deep burgundy or brown and emerald green shade.

I circled them like a primal sort of predator about to pounce on my prey… but alas, somehow they escaped me. Perhaps it was something to do with the flailing 3 year old in the over sized race car shopping cart that I was sporting that day. Don’t you just love those bulky things? Fabulous.

When prepping my shopping and meal planning list I did a bit of research into the Kumato and knew just what I wanted to do with them. This week when I went to the store, I was on a mission – Kumatoes or bust.

Now, I used Kumatoes in my dish here, but you can certainly use any medium sized tomatoes that you prefer; such as a Roma.

I, of course, recommend that you try Kumatoes if you see them available in your area. They are absolutely some of the best flavored tomatoes that I’ve ever had!

Caprese Grilled Chicken
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Since most of the marinade is discarded, I’ve accounted for that in the nutritional values.
Servings: 4 • Size: 1 Chicken Breast • Calories: 253.3 • Fat: 11.3 g • Carb: 3.2 g • Fiber: 0.6 g • Protein: 38.6 g • Sugar: 3 g • Sodium: 136.5 mg

Ingredients:
Chicken Marinade:
4 Chicken Breast (20 Oz. Total), Trimmed Of Fat
1/2 C. Balsamic Vinegar, Divided (1/4 C. + 1/4 C.)
2 Garlic Cloves, Chopped
Salt & Pepper To Taste
1/2 Tbsp. Light Butter
8 Fresh Mozzarella Medallions (2 Oz. Total)
2 Medium Tomatoes (I used 1 Roma and 2 Kumatos), Sliced – 6-8 Slices Per Tomato
4 Large Basil Leaves

Directions:
Marinade the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours prior to cooking in 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar, garlic, and salt & pepper, covered in the fridge.

Once ready, place the remaining 1/4 c. of balsamic vinegar (not the marinade) into a small pot and cook over low heat until the liquid has reduced by about half (about 5-10 minutes.) Add in the 1/2 tbsp. butter and whisk until well combined. Set aside.

While the vinegar reduction is cooling slightly. Discard the marinade from the chicken and grill until cooked through. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F. I cooked mine on my handy counter top grill for about 7-8 minutes.

Top each chicken breast with roughly 2 mozzarella medallions (1/2 oz.), 3-4 slices of tomato and one basil leaf each. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and enjoy!

Pasta Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and Tomatoes

Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, fresh cherry tomatoes… starting to get the theme here… FRESH. It is still summer and we can all use another great side dish and this will be a hit with the whole family.

There are several versions out there but I think the one from The Today Program is the closest and I will call it the inspiration piece. Modifications were two. First one pound of pasta would be WAY to much. Second, they suggested using the garlic to marinade the tomatoes then remove it. If I actually removed garlic for a dish in this house, I would be a one handed pediatrician real fast. Instead I cut the garlic back a little, crushed and left it in.

Rating

A nice solid 4.

Notes: Don’t be afraid to vary this a little. A few more tomatoes, or less, or use fresh diced tomatoes. More garlic, less garlic. Other fresh veggies would be good, some fresh chopped asparagus would be great. We added some shredded chicken along with some Italian dressing to the leftovers and had several more complete meals.
Lastly this makes a LOT of salad. I’m glad we loved it. We both had 2-3 servings the first round and did the chicken thing for the left overs and had several more meals.

Looks good… I have a new camera lens. LOVE IT!

Start by cutting about 1 pound of cherry tomatoes in half.

In a large bowl, add tomatoes along with 2-3 cloves crushed garlic, 1/4 cup good olive oil, 1 t course salt, a pinch of red pepper (about 1/8 t or less) and pepper to taste (about 1/4 t to start) mix well and set aside.

Cook 8 oz of pasta according to package instructions. We used mini penne. Allow to cool.

Chop 8 oz of fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces.

Chop 10 leaves of fresh basil.

When the pasta is cool, add the pasta, the mozzarella and the basil to the tomatoes and mix well.

Pasta Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and Tomatoes
by DrDan at 101 Cooking for Two August-10-2013

Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, fresh cherry tomatoes… starting to get the theme here… FRESH. It is still summer and we can all use another great side dish and this will be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 pound pasta like mini penne
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella
  • 2-3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 t course salt
  • 10 fresh basil leaves
  • a good pinch (about 1/8 t) crushed red pepper
  • pepper to taste (start at 1/4 t)
Instructions
1) Start by cutting about 1 pound of cherry tomatoes in half.2) In a large bowl, add tomatoes along with 2-3 cloves crushed garlic, 1/4 cup good olive oil, 1 t course salt, a pinch of red pepper (about 1/8 t or less) and pepper to taste (about 1/4 t to start) mix well and set aside.3) Cook 8 oz of pasta according to package instructions. We used mini penne. Allow to cool.4) Chop 8 oz of fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces.5) Chop 10 leaves of fresh basil.When the pasta is cool, add the pasta, the mozzarella and the basil to the tomatoes and mix well.6) Test for taste and serve.
Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 20 mins Yield: 12 serving

Updated

August 10 2013

Dan Mikesell

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