Crispy Nut-Crusted Mozzarella over Sautéed Spinach
Delight in the crispiness of golden-brown nut-crusted mozzarella combined with the freshness of sautéed baby spinach, caramelized onions, and a touch of honey. This dish not only makes a stunning presentation on your table but also brings a unique blend of flavors: the richness of the cheese, the earthiness of the nuts, and the brightness from the spinach. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish for light meals, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and make any gathering memorable. Share this exceptional dish and enjoy the compliments that come your way!
N/A
Servings
475
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Walnuts or Cashews
2 cups (Finely chopped)
Seasoning salt
3/4 teaspoon (Divided)
All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (Divided)
Large egg
1 (Whisked with milk)
Milk
1 tablespoon (Mixed with egg)
Fresh mozzarella cheese
1 lb (Cut into (8) 1/4-inch slices)
Salt
To taste
Fresh ground black pepper
To taste
Olive oil
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons (For frying and dressing)
Medium yellow onion
1 (Thinly sliced)
Medium red onion
1 (Thinly sliced)
Minced scallions
2 tablespoons
Minced garlic
1 tablespoon
Rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup
Honey
1 tablespoon
Fresh spinach
8 cups (Washed thoroughly, tough stems removed, torn into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
1
Preheat your medium saucepan over medium heat. Chop the walnuts or cashews finely in a food processor and mix with 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and 1/2 cup of flour until you achieve a coarse texture. Set aside.
2
Prepare the dredging stations: in a shallow bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup flour with 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined. Set these aside.
3
Slice the fresh mozzarella into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Season each piece lightly with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
4
Dredge each cheese slice first in the flour mixture, allowing any excess to fall off. Next, dip into the egg wash and let the excess drain before coating generously with the nut mixture. Set aside for 5-10 minutes to allow the coating to adhere.
5
In the same medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced yellow and red onions, stirring frequently until they caramelize over 10-12 minutes. Mix in the scallions and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute.
6
Whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil, rice wine vinegar, and honey into the caramelized onion mixture. Season with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat and set aside.
7
In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Carefully place the coated mozzarella pieces in the pan and cook until each side is golden brown and crisp, about 1-2 minutes per side. Drain the fried cheese on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
8
In a large bowl, lightly toss the fresh spinach with the caramelized onion dressing, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
9
To serve, arrange 4 portions of the dressed spinach in the center of individual plates. Lay 2 pieces of the crispy mozzarella around the salad greens on each plate. Enjoy this delectable creation immediately!
Nutrition Information
33g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Nut-Crusted Mozzarella over Sautéed Spinach?
It is a vegetarian dish featuring golden-brown nut-crusted fresh mozzarella served over a bed of fresh spinach tossed in a caramelized onion and honey dressing.
What kinds of nuts can I use for the crust?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of either finely chopped walnuts or cashews.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it uses cheese, nuts, and vegetables without any meat products.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
This dish contains approximately 475 calories per serving.
How much protein does this recipe provide?
Each serving of this recipe provides 15 grams of protein.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 33 grams of fat per serving in this dish.
How many carbohydrates are in the Nut-Crusted Mozzarella dish?
There are 22.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How should the fresh mozzarella be sliced?
The mozzarella should be cut into eight slices, each approximately 1/4-inch thick.
How do I prepare the nut coating for the cheese?
Finely chop the walnuts or cashews in a food processor and mix them with 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt and 1/2 cup of flour.
What ingredients are in the egg wash?
The egg wash consists of one large egg whisked together with one tablespoon of milk.
What is the dredging process for the mozzarella?
First, dredge the cheese in flour and seasoning salt, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat it generously with the nut mixture.
How long should the coated mozzarella sit before frying?
Let the coated cheese slices sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the nut coating to adhere properly.
How do I caramelize the onions for the dressing?
Sauté thinly sliced yellow and red onions in olive oil for 10-12 minutes until they are caramelized.
What aromatics are added to the caramelized onions?
Add 2 tablespoons of minced scallions and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the onions and cook for one additional minute.
What makes up the dressing for the spinach?
The dressing is made by whisking olive oil, rice wine vinegar, and honey into the caramelized onion mixture.
How do I fry the nut-crusted mozzarella?
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and cook the mozzarella slices for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
How much spinach is required for this recipe?
You will need 8 cups of fresh spinach that has been washed, stemmed, and torn into bite-sized pieces.
How do I serve the finished dish?
Arrange dressed spinach in the center of four plates and place two pieces of crispy mozzarella around the greens on each plate.
Can I use a different type of vinegar for the dressing?
The recipe specifically calls for rice wine vinegar, which provides a specific brightness to the honey-onion dressing.
Is the garlic fresh or powdered?
The recipe requires one tablespoon of fresh minced garlic.
What type of flour should be used?
All-purpose flour is used for both the nut mixture and the dredging station.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided between frying and the dressing.
Should the spinach be cooked or raw?
The spinach is lightly tossed with the warm caramelized onion dressing rather than being fully cooked down.
What size of onion is recommended?
The recipe calls for one medium yellow onion and one medium red onion, both thinly sliced.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients listed for this dish.
Is there honey in this recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of honey is used to add sweetness to the caramelized onion dressing.
What kind of seasoning salt is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of generic seasoning salt, divided between the flour and the nut mixture.
Is this dish intended as an appetizer or a main course?
It can be served as either a stunning appetizer or a light main course.
Should I drain the cheese after frying?
Yes, the fried mozzarella should be drained on paper towels to absorb any excess oil before serving.
Can this dish be made in advance?
It is best enjoyed immediately to ensure the mozzarella remains crispy and the spinach remains fresh.