Adding a Mustard Zing to the Salad:
Fresh Mozzarella looks tempting when seen in a Caprese salad or sandwich, but one has to admit, it can be rather bland. One easy way to perk it up therefore, is to marinate the cheese with an interesting marinade. The mustard and balsamic vinegar dressing cum marinade made such a difference to the flavours of this persimmon mozzarella salad. Using good quality mustard and balsamic vinegar makes all the difference between an ok dish and a great one. Thank you Mridula, for the lovely mustard paste you brought for me during your last visit!
The theme for the 174th event of the Foodie Monday BlogHop Group is Potluck Recipes, and the theme was suggested by Preeti Prasad. Preeti blogs at Preethi's Cuisine. Do visit the blog, it has interesting recipes with clear instructions. I would love to try out her recent recipe for Pesto coated smashed Potatoes, the arachuvitta karamani sambar (a Tamil dish), the sweet and sour mango relish!
The Persimmon Mozzarella Salad would be a great addition to any Potluck gathering. It could be an appetizer or dessert, or a tasty side with pasta, pizza, risotto. With the gorgeous colours of autumn and winter arrayed in one plate, it is bound to be crowd-pleaser.
Making the Persimmon Mozzarella Salad
The mustard and balsamic vinegar serves as both a marinade and dressing. The salad is easy to put together: mix the dressing, slice and marinate the cheese, slice the fruit and then arrange it all together. You could even carry the prepped ingredients with you and assemble the salad at the place where you are getting together for the potluck.
The measurements/ quantities of ingredients in the recipe below are indicative, except for the mustard dressing, which gives the proportions of the ingredients. You can add more of the fruit or greens or arugula or mozzarella.
Some variations to the salad:
- Peaches instead of Persimmon. Or add some thinly sliced pears to the salad.
- Blueberries instead of the cranberries (depending on whats in season)
- Goats cheese instead of mozzarella would be lovely, though that would give a very different flavour profile to the salad.
- Add toasted pumpkin seeds or walnuts to the salad.
- Make a lemon orange honey dressing instead of the mustard balsamic - again this would totally change the taste of the salad.
- Add mint instead of or along with the basil
Other recipes you may like to try from this blog:
Roasted Figs and Tomatoes Salad
Persimmon Mozzarella Winter Salad with Mustard Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
For Mustard Balasamic Vinegar Marinade
- 1 tablespoon Mustard paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For Persimmon Mozzarella Salad
- 3 Fuyu Persimmons sliced
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella Cheese 2 mozzarella balls, sliced
- 3 cups lettuce Washed, dried, shredded
- a few Rocket/ Arugula leaves
- 2 tablespoons Cranberries
Instructions
To make the Mustard Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
- The dressing can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Pour mustard and balsamic vinegar into a jar. Add pepper, salt, and shake it well. Add the olive oil and shake some more. Keep in the fridge till required.
To make the Persimmon Mozzarella Salad
- Slice the mozzarella into chunks and put them in a bag along with 2 tablespoons of marinade/ dressing. Shake the bag well till all the slices are covered with the marinade. Empty the bag into a bowl, cover and place in the fridge till required.
- Wash the persimmons, cut out the stem and slice the fruit- cubes, thin crescent shapes, whatever you like best. I have not peeled the persimmon as they were quite edible, but you may if you wish - they are quite easy to peel with a peeler.
- Wash and dry the lettuce and arugula in a salad spinner or with a kitchen towel. Shred and arrange the lettuce on a serving plate. Place the sliced persimmon on the lettuce. Remove the marinated mozzarella from the fridge and arrange on the plate. Shred and add the arugula leaves. Place the cranberries on the plate.
- Drizzle the dressing on to the salad, sprinkle fresh ground pepper. Your salad is ready!
Sasmita says
Persimmon Mozzarella Salad looks so so inviting di !!! Love the capture here as well. SO refreshing post too :0
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you Sasmita. It was one of the most delicious salads I have had!
Veena Krishnakumar says
I love salads and this one looks so colourful and delicious. Lovely capture
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you, Veena! Its amazing the fresh fruits and cheese we easily get at Bangalore nowadays, brings out the creativity in me!
poonampagar says
The blend of fresh fruit with cheese sounds so refreshing and flavorful di ! The salad looks stunning and I am sure this will vanish in no time at a potluck .
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you so much, Poonam. This is indeed a tasty salad
Mildlyindian (@mildlyindian) says
Superb share. I love the salads at a potluck, they are always vibrant and give me enough stisfaction of wellshared treats. the custrrd like feel of persimon with the absolutey flavourfull dressing yumm. dont start with that beauty... mozarella. So perfect.
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you Seema! I really liked this hassle free salad. And the mustard balsamic dressing gave the cheese such a zing!
Preethicuisine says
Love this healthy , refreshing and colourful salad. Fantastic share .
FoodTrails says
This salad plate looks so refreshing and inviting.. I loved the marinade for mozzarella with the zing of mustard in it. Awesome share!!
sizzlingtastebuds says
I saw these fruits in the market recently but was wary of trying them out. You have given me a reason to, especially with that vineigerette. My husband is a huge fan of salads and would love this new recipe 🙂
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you so much. This is the first year I am seeing Persimmon available in almost every store. Haven't really noticed them in the past! And Im glad as it makes for a lovely winter salad.
Vidya Narayan says
I adore fruits with salads and always make it a point to add both equal quantities since I like a bit of sweet with my salad leaves. I loved the dressing you made from scratch and must have tasted delicious. Loved the suggestions for the variations and moz in salads makes life worth it!
Sujata Shukla says
Yes, specially with salad greens like arugula/ rocket which are slightly bitter, and the fruit offsets this! The dressing really gave life to the plain cheese!
mayurisjikoni says
If you were to bring this salad at a potluck party which I'm attending, I think I would finish all of it. Its so filling, refreshing and an amalgamation of wonderful, flavorful ingredients.
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you Mayuri! Fresh fruits and cheese make such a great combination!
Batter Up With Sujata says
Salad looks so colourful, healthy, delicious and gorgeous. Awesome share. Perfect for the theme.
Sujata Shukla says
Thank you so much, Sujata Roy!
themadscientistskitchen says
I loooooove salads!!! This salad is something I will kill for. Okay kill is drastic but it sounds looks and I am sure will taste amazing. Pass the plate girl ....
HMB Support says
Thank you, Archana! Yes this salad did come out pretty special!
The Girl Next Door says
The salad looks so pretty and colourful, and delicious too. Awesome share! 🙂
HMB Support says
Thank you Priya!