Tre Stelle® Bocconcini Grilled Cheese Recipe

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Whisk together eggs and milk. In a separate bowl add seasoned breadcrumbs. Dip slices of chicken into egg mixture; let residual liquid drip off and dip into breadcrumbs pressing firmly to cover both sides. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Preheat panini press or indoor grill. Brush olive oil on one side of each slice of bread. Place bread oiled side down on press or grill. Place cutlet, tomato sauce, basil and bocconcini slices equally on each slice of bread, top with remaining bread, oiled side up and cook for approximately 5-7 minutes.

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Created by: Tre Stelle Kitchen

Cheese: Bocconcini

FAQs

Do you have any questions about our delicious Trestelle bocconcini grilled cheese? Read through some of our most frequently asked questions for more information! 

What other cheeses can I use?

One of the most satisfying aspects of eating a grilled cheese sandwich is pulling apart your slices to achieve that stringy cheese experience. Therefore, if you want to substitute bocconcini for another delicious cheese for this recipe, here are some alternative cheese options that are equally as tasty: 

Classic cheddar cheese 

A classic grilled cheese option, cheddar cheese is the perfect substitute for our bocconcini grilled cheese recipe. Try using a sharp white cheddar for extra flavor and tangy to compliment the tomato and chicken in the sandwich.

Gruyere cheese 

Originating from France, gruyere cheese is known for its mix of sweet and sharp flavors that will pair nicely with the fresh basil leaves and tomato in our recipe.

Brie cheese 

Known for its gooey texture when melted, brie cheese is often used for both sweet and savory dishes. It offers a rich and mild flavor; brie is a great cheese that will enhance your grilled cheese sandwich and provide you with an elegant dish that is delicious and delicate on the palate. 

Pepper jack cheese 

If you’re looking for something with a bit more spice, pepper jack cheese is a great option. Known for its perfect melt, peeper jack cheese is buttery in flavor and offers a creamy texture. The red peppers in the cheese will also give you that hint of heat that will elevate your grilled cheese, making it the perfect substitute for those who enjoy a little spice in their life. 

Havarti cheese 

Originating from Denmark, Havarti is a cheese made from cow milk that is similar to a mild cheddar or a provolone cheese. Havarti melts very well and offers a subtle, mild flavor which is perfect for those who do not like sharper cheeses. 

Mozzarella cheese

In the same family as bocconcini, mozzarella is a classic cheese for pasta, pizzas, and other starchy dishes. While you are able to purchase fresh mozzarella in its traditional ball form, it is also packaged as shredded and in brick form, making it easier to sprinkle and melt on your Trestelle-inspired grill cheese sandwich. 

Gouda cheese 

Gouda is another cheese that originates from Denmark. It provides a mild flavor. However, you are able to purchase aged gouda that offers a taste that is saltier. Keep in mind that aged gouda does not melt well. Therefore, if you do wish to use gouda as a cheese alternative for your grilled cheese recipe, we recommend one that is not aged. That way, you can still achieve a beautiful, even melt with that classic stringy result. 

Do you have to rinse bocconcini?

When purchasing bocconcini from your local grocery store, you will notice that the cheese balls come packaged in a brine substance. This whey mixture is used to preserve the cheese. However, the whey mixture is also absorbed into the bocconcini cheese balls, providing it with a more flavorful flavor profile. If you have ever bought feta or ricotta from the store, you will also notice that these types of cheeses come with a similar brine that helps the cheese remain flavorful as well. 

Therefore, when preparing your bocconcini for your recipes or to eat on its own, we suggest not rinsing it. Again, this is because there are a lot of flavors in the brine itself, which will enhance the overall taste of the bocconcini when prepared in your dish. However, if you do not want to consume the brine, you are able to lightly dab off the extra liquid from your bocconcini balls before using it to remove some of the flavors if it is too overpowering.

What is the difference between bocconcini and mozzarella? 

Originating from the city of Naples, Italy, both bocconcini and mozzarella are semi-soft cheeses made from a combination of water buffalo and cow milk. This means that both bocconcini and mozzarella come from the same family of cheeses! Known for their iconic round shape, mozzarella and bocconcini have a butter-like texture that is exceptionally creamy and delicious. In addition, both kinds of cheese also have similar flavor profiles that are mildly sweet. 

To make bocconcini or mozzarella, the cheese curds are first placed in a hot whey brine. This brine mixture is also what the prepared cheese balls are stored in to maintain their flavor while in the fridge. Once the cheese curds have soaked in the whey mixture, it is then pulled and kneaded to create the soft texture that you experience before it is stretched into cheese balls. 

As such, the only real difference between mozzarella and bocconcini is their size. While mozzarella is known to be quite large or approximately the size of an apple. On the other hand, bocconcini is typically the size of an egg. In addition, you can also purchase smaller-size bocconcini, which is around the size of a cherry tomato. 

Bocconcini and mozzarella are commonly made into Caprese salads, which is a popular traditional Italian dish. However, as both kinds of cheese melt very well, they can also be added to pasta dishes, soups, and of course, our delightful bocconcini grilled cheese. Just make sure when you aren’t cooking with your bocconcini or mozzarella cheeses to keep them stored in a sealed container soaked in the whey mixture that it comes packaged with, as it will keep the cheese flavorful and saturated until you are ready to use it again.

Is bocconcini a vegan product?

Individuals who practice veganism do not consume any animal products or byproducts. This means that foods such as eggs, cheeses, honey, gelatin, whey, and any other ingredients may be entirely or partially derived from animals.

The term veganism is often confused with vegetarianism. Someone who is a vegetarian does not eat animal meat. However, they do believe that it is okay to eat the byproducts of animals. Therefore, you can think of veganism as being similar to vegetarianism with stricter diet restrictions. 

As such, because bocconcini is a cheese made from cow’s milk and water buffalo milk, someone who is vegan would not be able to eat it as it is derived from animals. In addition, bocconcini, when packaged, is kept in a brine liquid that often contains whey, which is another animal byproduct. However, individuals who are vegetarian will be able to eat bocconcini grilled cheese or other bocconcini recipes. With that said, you may be able to find a vegan alternative for bocconcini cheese at your local grocery store.