Mozzarella with Warm Tomato and Olive Vinaigrette

, from Issue #65. March, 2016
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Mozzarella with Warm Tomato and Olive Vinaigrette

Late summer on a plate: warm tomatoes top chunks of silky mozzarella and the peppery watercress adds a light freshness to the dish. 

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

Vinaigrette
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion, thinly sliced

12 each green and black olives
1 punnet mixed cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
sea salt and ground pepper
Salad
2 large balls fresh mozzarella in whey, drained
small bunch watercress
3 cloves garlic, sliced 

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake.

Vinaigrette: Put 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the onion and olives on a lipped baking tray and toss together. Bake for about 10 minutes until the onions have softened a little. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook for another 10 minutes until the tomatoes are tender and just collapsing.

Stir in the vinegar and the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

To serve: Break each mozzarella into 4 pieces and arrange on a platter or individual plates.

Spoon the warm vinaigrette over the top and garnish with the watercress. Serves 4