Mozzarella Grilled in Lemon Leaves

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Mozzarella Grilled in Lemon Leaves

I discovered mozzarella grilled in lemon leaves on the Amalfi Coast, where lemons are a way of life. It’s delicious and so very simple to make, especially if you (or a neighbour) have a lemon tree in the backyard. I’ve tried it with fresh fior di latte, but that’s a bit too moist; I find the scamorza bianca from Vannella Cheese has the perfect melting texture. Trim the cheese slices if necessary so there’s room top and bottom to secure the leaves with toothpicks. And don’t worry if the cheese oozes out a little, the crusty bits it forms on the grill are a special treat! Eat with your hands, using the bread to scrape the cheese off the leaves (don’t eat them) and enjoy it with a cold glass of white wine – a southern Italian varietal, like La Prova’s delicious fiano, is ideal. See video below for another deliciously cheesy Italian recipe.

Serves 2 as a starter

Ingredients
  • 230g scamorza (8oz)
  • About 20 large lemon leaves
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
  • Crusty bread, for serving
Method
  1. Cut scamorza into slices 5–10mm (¼–½″) thick.
  2. Rinse leaves under cold water and pat dry.
  3. Lay half the leaves on a work surface, shiny side down.
  4. Top each one with a slice of scamorza.
  5. Place another leaf of a similar size on top, shiny side up, and secure with toothpicks.
  6. Brush both sides with oil.
  7. Grill leaf parcels for about a minute each side, just until the cheese starts to melt.
  8. Transfer to a plate and serve immediately with crusty bread.
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What Other Travellers Say

Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Relaxed, organised and well-paced – a wonderful bespoke small group tour, starting in Rome, then travelling down the Amalfi Coast to stay at a family estate where we were treated like old friends. This tour included some hidden gems too, notably on our way to Matera, a fascinating town built into the side of a mountain. We finished with Naples and Pompeii – with plenty of wine and more new tastes. Roberta is a specialist and very personable as she hosts and explains every detail of the food and wine experience.
Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
I’ve been on three of Roberta’s food and wine tours so far and each one has been an amazing well-organised experience. From historic Rome and Pompeii to the spectacular Amalfi Coast, remarkable Venice and the charming villages of Switzerland, each tour offers something special. Then there’s the food in fabulous places where you can truly eat like a local. I highly recommend Roberta’s tours to anyone who wants to discover inspired travel through great food, wine and company. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Michael (Cremorne, NSW, Aus.)
Michael (Cremorne, NSW, Aus.)
Starting in Rome then spending time on the Amalfi Coast and further south before heading back to Rome for the last couple of days made for a nice ‘round trip’. Roberta’s choice of eateries was excellent with some very enjoyable meals – and a nice mix of other activities, like vineyard visits, between meals. Everything was very well organised: transport, nice hotels in close proximity to most activities, and a relaxed pace with enough time to follow your nose if that took your fancy. A very worthwhile tour and I’m already looking forward to another!
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
I absolutely recommend Roberta’s Southern Italy tour! We’ve always been independent travellers so were a little apprehensive – by day 2 we knew we’d made a great decision! Roberta knows people and places far from the tourist trail so we visited wineries where we were always invited for lunch as well as wine-tasting, a family lemon grove high on the Amalfi Coast and a 3rd generation cheesemaker. We stayed in a stunning cave hotel in Matera and a gorgeous family hotel in Scala – and book-ended the tour with the vibrancy of Rome. So many highlights, such a brilliant experience. We will do another tour with Roberta.
Neville (St Ives, NSW, Aus.)
Neville (St Ives, NSW, Aus.)
We had an absolutely fantastic time in Southern Italy and Rome with Roberta. Incredible food and wine experiences combined with authentic cultural encounters, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery. From the charming streets of Trastevere and the stunning Amalfi Coast to Matera, Pompeii and the hidden gems of Basilicata, every day brought something memorable. Meeting local winemakers, farmers, chefs and families who welcomed us with genuine warmth made this trip exceptional. Roberta's passion for Italy, attention to detail, warmth, knowledge and care for every guest made the experience unforgettable. We will gladly travel with Roberta again.
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