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Mozzarella Stuffed with Broccoli Rabe

17/11/2023

I can guide you through the preparation of a delicious mozzarella stuffed with broccoli rabe, a dish that combines the freshness of the cheese with the goodness of a vegetable typical of Italian cuisine. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

  • 4 buffalo mozzarellas (large size, if possible)
  • 300 g of broccoli rabe
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Chili pepper as needed (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar, for garnish (optional)
  • Breadcrumbs for breading (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the broccoli rabe: remove the tougher leaves and excessively thick stems, keeping only the tender parts and the florets. Wash thoroughly in cold water.

  2. In a large pan, sauté the chopped garlic (and chili pepper if you like) in a few tablespoons of oil until the garlic turns golden. At this point, remove it if you prefer not to find it in the finished dish.

  3. Add the broccoli rabe to the pan and cook over medium heat, adding a pinch of salt. If necessary, you can add a little water to help the cooking process. Let them cook until soft, about 5-10 minutes.

  4. In the meantime, prepare the mozzarellas: cut the top cap to create a sort of lid. Use a teaspoon to carefully scoop out the inside of the mozzarella, creating a cavity. Try to keep the outer wall intact.

  5. Take the cooked broccoli rabe and drain well from any cooking water.

  6. Fill the cavities of the mozzarellas with the cooked broccoli rabe, and if you wish, you can close the mozzarella with its cap. For a crispy effect, you might want to roll the stuffed mozzarellas in breadcrumbs.

  7. Heat the stuffed mozzarellas in the oven again for just a few minutes at 180°C (356°F), just long enough to soften the mozzarella slightly.

  8. Serve warm, garnished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if you like, a few drops of balsamic vinegar to contrast the sweet flavor of the mozzarella.

Curiosity

Broccoli rabe is a typical ingredient of Apulian cuisine and is the protagonist of classic dishes like “orecchiette with broccoli rabe”. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, K, and minerals. In this recipe, their slight bitterness is wonderfully balanced by the creaminess of the buffalo mozzarella.

Mozzarella Stuffed with Broccoli Rabe