Best Homemade Smoked Mozzarella Cheese Recipes

HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup water and rennet in a small bowl; mix well.
• Combine remaining 1/2 cup water and citric acid in another small bowl; mix until dissolved.
• Pour milk into a large pot set over medium heat. Stir in water-citric acid mixture. Heat milk, stirring occasionally, until it registers 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Remove milk from heat and stir in rennet mixture in a figure-8 motion for 30 seconds. Stir counterclockwise for 30 seconds to still the milk. Let stand, covered, until milk sets into curd, 5 to 10 minutes. Press edge of the curd gently with a palette knife or the back of a spoon to check for firmness.
• Slice vertically into the pot to cut curd into 3/4-inch cubes with a palette knife. Stir curds gently, but leave cubes mostly intact.
• Return pot to the heat; cook over medium heat, stirring curds gently, until temperature reaches 109 degrees F (43 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Ladle curds into a colander set over a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Press curds gently to extract liquid whey. Pour drained whey back into the pot.
• Heat whey to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Wearing gloves, tear off a piece of curd and place on a slotted spoon. Dip curd into hot whey for 5 to 10 seconds. Stretch, fold, and knead the curd. Repeat until mozzarella is smooth and elastic. Knead in salt and form curd into a ball. Repeat dipping and kneading process with remaining curd.
• Allow mozzarella to cool. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator.

SMOKED MOZZARELLA SKILLET CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts on a work surface and cover with waxed paper. Pound each breast with the smooth side of a meat mallet to an even thickness. Sprinkle both sides with oregano, onion powder, and salt.
• Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes. Flip and cook about 3 minutes longer. Top each breast with sliced mozzarella. Cover the skillet and cook until cheese has melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 minutes longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove from the skillet and allow to cool for 1 minute before serving.

SMOKED CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare your smoker. Using wood chips of your choice (today I am using Apple chips soaked in water for about 30 min.) preheat the smoker to 120 degrees (be sure to use an external oven temperature gauge to make sure the smoker temp and the external oven temp are in the same range.
• 2. While the smoker is heating you are cutting your cheeses into fairly uniform blocks (see the picture). I don't like mess so I line the bottom of my cheese smoking cake pan with foil (you don't have to do this)
• 3. Now fill 1/2 way another baking dish with ice cubes. This is going to keep your cheese from melting but allow the smoke to distribute well among the cheese.
• 4. When smoker is at 120 degrees F. QUICKLY put cheese tray on top and ice cube tray directly underneath that...try not to let the smoke escape. Shut and lock the door.
• 5. Smoke ONLY for 20 minutes at 120F then shut off the smoker....DO NOT open it for 40 minutes.
• 6. At the end of 40 minutes, bring in the cheese and wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Do not open or slice cheese for 2 days.
• 7. Enjoy!

3-INGREDIENT SMOKED MOZZARELLA STICKS

Steps:

• Arrange stack of egg roll wrappers on a clean work surface in front of you like a diamond. Working with one at a time, brush surface lightly with water. Place a mozzarella log across bottom third of diamond. Roll cheese up tightly in wrapper, tucking corners in halfway through. Seal edges, then repeat with remaining wrappers and cheese.
• Pour oil into a large nonstick skillet to come 1/8" up sides; heat over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches, fry mozzarella sticks, turning once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels and season immediately with salt. Let cool slightly before serving.

OLIVE GARDEN SMOKED MOZZARELLA FONDUTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Arrange sliced Italian bread flat on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Set aside until ready to use.
• Combine sour cream, thyme, red pepper, cayenne pepper and four cheeses in a large bowl and blend thoroughly.
• IF SERVING FAMILY-STYLE:.
• Spray an 8x10-inch casserole dish with pan spray, then use a spatula to transfer the mixture.
• FOR INDIVIDUAL SERVINGS:.
• Spray eight individual heat-resistant serving bowls, such as souffle cups, with pan spray and fill each with 1/2 cup of mixture. Place individual bowls on a baking sheet. Using a large spoon, spread cheese mixture to create an even surface.
• TO BAKE:.
• Place casserole dish or baking sheet with individual bowls on center rack in oven.
• After five minutes, place baking sheet with bread, still covered, on top rack in oven. Bake for an additional five minutes. Remove bread and fonduta from oven.
• TO SERVE:.
• Garnish casserole dish with diced tomatoes and parsley in center of fonduta or divide evenly among smaller bowls. Arrange bread slices around bowl(s) and serve immediately.
• *This recipe calls for one of these two cheeses to be smoked and one to be regular).