Jul 13 2026
RestaurantsVilla AmoreFresh Mozzarella Recipe

Fresh Mozzarella Recipe

Inspired by Villa Amore
Time1h 30m
Serves8

Make Fresh Mozzarella Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Milk Preparation

Ice Bath

Method

Milk Preparation

  1. 1

    Heat the Milk

    In a large pot, pour 4 liters of whole milk and heat it slowly over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching. Heat until it reaches 32°C (90°F).

  2. 2

    Add Citric Acid

    Dissolve 1 tablespoon of citric acid in a small amount of water and add it to the hot milk. Stir gently for about 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Add Rennet

    Dilute 1 teaspoon of rennet in 1/4 cup of cool, non-chlorinated water. After adding the rennet, stir gently for about 30 seconds, then stop stirring and let the milk sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Check for Curd Formation

    After 5 minutes, check if the curds have formed by inserting a knife into the mixture. If the curds are firm and separated from the whey, it's ready to proceed.

  5. 5

    Cut the Curds

    Use a long knife to cut the curds into 1-inch cubes. Let the curds sit for an additional 5 minutes.

  6. 6

    Heat the Curds

    Slowly heat the curds to 40°C (104°F) over low heat, stirring gently to prevent clumping. This should take about 5-10 minutes.

  7. 7

    Separate Curds from Whey

    Once the curds reach the desired temperature, pour them into a colander lined with cheesecloth to separate the curds from the whey.

  8. 8

    Rinse the Curds

    Rinse the curds under cold running water to remove excess whey and cool them down.

  9. 9

    Knead the Curds

    Transfer the curds to a mixing bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of non-iodized salt. Knead the curds with your hands until they become smooth and elastic, about 5-10 minutes.

  10. 10

    Form the Mozzarella

    Once the curds are smooth, divide them into portions and shape into balls. Place the mozzarella balls in a bowl of ice water.

Ice Bath

  1. 11

    Prepare Ice Bath

    In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of ice and 4 cups of cold water to create an ice bath for the mozzarella balls.

  2. 12

    Chill the Mozzarella

    Let the mozzarella balls sit in the ice bath for about 10 minutes to firm up and cool completely.

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