Make Ahead

Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint

by:
June 14, 2010
5
1 Ratings
Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Glazed Plums, Pine Nuts and Mint
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

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 —Brita

Test Kitchen 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 —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 large ball buffalo mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • 4 ripe plums, pitted and quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1 splash olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. Add plums to syrup turning gently to coat and continue to cook for another 4-7 minutes more. Turn off heat and let cool.
  3. 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.
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40 Reviews

Rebecca C.
Rebecca C. July 13, 2015
That's a tasty app! Despite my disaster of neglectfully overcooking the fruit in the syrup to the point where all that remained was its skins. Thankfully, still usuable, just sweeter and thicker. I set mozzarella balls (ciliegine) on a bed of baby arugula, then, drizzled and layered from there. Yum! No crostini, necessary. Thanks Brita for a great gluten free serving alternative of a classic flavor combination.
 
koc
koc July 8, 2015
Absolutely delicious! Easy and quick to prepare, beautiful presentation AND delicious!!! Used nectarines and chopped pecans simply because that's what I had on hand. Substituted basil because some family members don't like mint. Looking forward to making this often! Thanks Brita.
 
Laura L.
Laura L. November 13, 2014
any chance you could substitute plums with an in season winter fruit like pears by chance?? or any other suggestions? thanks! looks delicious!
 
Brita
Brita November 13, 2014
Yes I think pears would be the perfect choice and much easier to find year round! go for a firmer pear like bosc or comice. good luck!
 
Robert J.
Robert J. September 16, 2015
I used figs, delicious as well.
 
fran
fran April 4, 2014
I am not a mint person. Can you suggwst something else. Cilantro? Or too strong?
 
Brita
Brita April 13, 2014
I would say basil would be the perfect substitute! Hope you enjoy
 
Amy W.
Amy W. August 30, 2013
Could the plums be made ahead of time? I am hosting a party and looking for dishes that require minimal cooking the day of.

Thanks!
 
QueenSashy
QueenSashy January 7, 2013
I have been meaning to leave a comment for a long time and keep being sidetracked… This is a dish that helped me discover Food52, I saw a picture of it on Pinterest, or was it Facebook, and thought OMG, what a beautiful dish. I made it so many times this summer and fall and cannot wait for the summer to make it over and over again.
 
Jenniferino
Jenniferino October 21, 2012
Delicious, beautifully presented, easy salad. I substituted mozzarella for burrata and tasted fantastic. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
 
Jocelyn G.
Jocelyn G. September 4, 2010
Made this for a dinner party last night. It was absolutely delicious. Will definitely make it again. Thanks!
 
grazi
grazi August 18, 2010
This made my mouth water!
 
Brita
Brita July 5, 2010
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
ChefJune July 5, 2010
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
ChefJune July 4, 2010
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
Bevi July 3, 2010
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
TasteFood July 1, 2010
Congratulations! Love this recipe.
 
Brita
Brita June 30, 2010
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
lastnightsdinner June 30, 2010
Congratulations, Brita! It's a lovely dish and I can't wait to try it!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian June 30, 2010
Congrats on your win! Loved this recipe and will be making it again soon!
 
aargersi
aargersi June 30, 2010
Congratulations! Another one to add to the long "to make" list!!!!
 
Lizthechef
Lizthechef June 30, 2010
Congratulations on a terrific recipe, plus you get the funniest video for your memory book ;)
 
Rivka
Rivka June 30, 2010
Hooray! Love this recipe -- making it tonight for dinner, actually. Congrats, Brita!
 
witloof
witloof June 29, 2010
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
AntoniaJames June 29, 2010
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 F.
Dominique F. June 29, 2010
Will try! Cheese + fruit = good combo
 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian June 29, 2010
Made this tonight - it was really great!
 
fiveandspice
fiveandspice June 28, 2010
I love mozarella and fruit! Lovely and creative salad!
 
kitchengardener
kitchengardener June 27, 2010
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.
Marcia V. June 27, 2010
This lookls special
 
ChefJune
ChefJune June 27, 2010
This sounds so good! Where are you located? I haven't seen any plums yet around New York, much less ripe ones!
 
Brita
Brita June 27, 2010
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
ChefJune June 27, 2010
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
jazzdad June 25, 2010
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
lastnightsdinner June 25, 2010
I am really intrigued by this, and I've bookmarked it to try when plums are in season here - congrats!
 
Brita
Brita June 25, 2010
Thanks everyone! I'm over the moon to be a finalist!!
 
drbabs
drbabs June 24, 2010
Congratulations, Brita. this looks wonderful. I love the plums, too.
 
WinnieAb
WinnieAb June 24, 2010
This looks gorgeous and delicious. Love the plums here!
 
TasteFood
TasteFood June 18, 2010
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
cheese1227 June 17, 2010
Very interesting combination.