Patrick Oconnell
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It is a soft ball of pulled mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream. It has a soft, luscious texture and a mild, milky, subtly sweet flavour. Burrata is best served at room temperature, so it's a good idea to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. It is a popular choice for cheese boards, especially in the summer when it can be accompanied by fresh produce such as tomatoes, basil, peaches, and other stone fruits. To prepare a burrata cheese board, you can drizzle the cheese with olive oil and sprinkle it with freshly ground pepper. The board can be garnished with fresh herbs such as basil and mint leaves, and arugula can be added as a bed for the ingredients. In addition to the burrata, the board can be filled with ingredients such as prosciutto, salami, olives, grapes, and bread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Burrata, Brie, Camembert, Chèvre, Feta, Mozzarella |
| Base | Arugula, Bread, Crackers, French Bread, Toast |
| Meat | Genoa salami, Prosciutto, Salami |
| Fruits/Vegetables | Basil, Cherries, Grapes, Mint, Olives, Peaches, Peppers, Tomatoes |
| Condiments | Olive oil, Pepper, Salt, Sea salt, Pesto, Balsamic glaze |
| Other | Eggs, Nuts, Shrimps |
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What You'll Learn
Pair burrata with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, and bread
Burrata is a soft ball of pulled mozzarella cheese filled with stracciatella and cream. It has a thin mozzarella shell and a creamy centre that oozes out when you cut into it. It is best served fresh and at room temperature, and should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
To pair burrata with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, and bread, you can make a delicious appetizer or a light meal. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients:
- Burrata cheese
- Toasted crusty bread (e.g., ciabatta, ciriola, or casareccio)
- Prosciutto (or ham, cooked pancetta, or salami)
- Tomatoes (preferably heirloom, grape, or cherry tomatoes)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Basil (fresh leaves or basil oil)
- Salt (preferably kosher) and black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Method:
- Wash and slice the tomatoes. You can halve cherry tomatoes or create an overlapping pattern on the platter by arranging sliced tomatoes and topping them with cherry tomatoes.
- Toast the bread and cut it into slices.
- On a large platter or serving plate, arrange the toasted bread pieces.
- Add the burrata cheese, which is the star of the dish.
- Fill in the gaps on the platter with the tomatoes, prosciutto, and basil.
- Season with salt and black pepper, and add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the entire dish.
Your burrata platter is now ready to serve! This combination of ingredients creates a wonderful, easy-to-make and colourful dish that is perfect for sharing with your loved ones.
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Serve at room temperature, drizzled with olive oil
Burrata is a fresh cheese product, usually made from cow's milk, with a soft and luscious interior. It is a soft ball of pulled mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream. The cheese is mild and milky, with hints of sweetness. It is best when served shortly after preparation or purchase and should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
To serve burrata at room temperature, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. Place the cheese in a bowl and drizzle it with olive oil. You can warm the olive oil in advance with ingredients like tomatoes, basil, and garlic to create a braised tomato mixture. Sprinkle the burrata with fresh ground pepper and a bit of sea salt to taste.
To create a simple burrata board, you can garnish it with fresh basil and mint leaves. Arugula can also be placed on the board as a bed for the burrata and other ingredients, or used on toast. A wooden cutting board is often used for burrata boards, but any flat-surfaced serving tray can be used. You can also top the burrata with pesto or a balsamic glaze.
Burrata pairs well with a variety of ingredients, including tomatoes, bread, prosciutto, and basil. It can be served with grilled flatbread, over salads, or with spinach pesto gnocchi. The cheese can also be paired with sweet peaches, genoa salami, olives, grapes, and French bread.
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Add other cheeses, like goat's cheese or feta
A burrata cheese board is a great way to showcase this soft Italian cheese, which is similar to mozzarella. The outer layer of burrata is mozzarella cheese formed into a pocket, then filled with a softer cheese curd and cream. The mild and milky flavour of burrata, with hints of sweetness, makes it a perfect pairing with other cheeses, like goat cheese or feta.
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a soft, mildly tangy goat's milk cheese. It is a great addition to a cheese board, especially when served with crackers and sweet or savoury preserves. It can also be served over salads, adding a light and tangy flavour. If you love goat cheese, it is worth visiting a dedicated cheese shop to find the types you will enjoy. Washed-rind goat cheeses, for example, are aged to develop a rind and have a beefy and bold flavour.
Feta is a firm, crumbly cheese with a sharp, tangy and salty flavour. It is traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk in Greece, but is now widely made in the US from cow's milk. Feta is a popular choice for salads and pasta, and its strong flavour can stand up to other bold ingredients on a cheese board.
When adding other cheeses to a burrata board, consider the overall flavour profile you want to create. Burrata has a mild flavour, so pairing it with stronger cheeses like feta or aged goat cheese can add a nice contrast. You can also complement the creamy texture of burrata with the chalky or crumbly texture of these cheeses.
To assemble your burrata cheese board, start by placing the burrata in a small bowl in the centre of the board. Fan prosciutto or other meats around the bowl, and add a bed of arugula, fresh basil or mint. Then, add your chosen cheeses, along with fruits, vegetables, crackers, bread, and/or nuts. Drizzle the burrata with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance its flavour. You can also add a balsamic vinaigrette for extra flavour.
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Include fruit, like peaches or berries
Burrata is a soft Italian cheese, similar to mozzarella. It has a mild, milky flavour with hints of sweetness. The outer layer is made of mozzarella, which is then formed into a pocket and filled with a softer cheese curd (stracciatella) and cream. The creamy cheese is perfect for serving on a cheese board, especially in the summer, as it is light and pairs well with summer fruits and flavours.
When serving burrata with fruit on a cheese board, you can include fruits like peaches, berries (blackberries, strawberries, etc.), cherries, apricots, grapes, or even watermelon. If you want to focus on the sweeter side of the flavour spectrum, you can centre your board around these fruits. For example, you can pair burrata with peaches and mint, creating a refreshing combination. To enhance the sweetness, you can also add honeydew or cantaloupe melon to the board.
The fruit can be placed directly on the cheese board or arranged in small dishes or jars. If you want to make the board more visually appealing, start with the largest components, such as whole peaches or a bowl of berries, and then fill in the extra spaces with smaller components like grapes or sliced fruit.
You can also get creative and make a salad by tossing the fruit with other ingredients. For instance, you can combine peaches with prosciutto, mint, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze. Similarly, berries can be mixed with balsamic vinegar and a sweetener like honey to create a berry compote, adding a burst of flavour to your burrata cheese board.
By including fruit, your burrata cheese board will be a delightful and refreshing treat for your guests, offering a contrast of sweet and savoury flavours.
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Buy from a specialty cheese shop for maximum oozing
Burrata is a fresh cheese product, so it's best to serve it as soon as possible after buying it. For the maximum oozing effect, it's recommended to buy from a specialty cheese shop or local dairy. If you're based in the US, sources suggest that Murray's Cheese Shop in Greenwich Village, New York, is a good option. Alternatively, you could try a local cheese shop on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, or a local gourmet market or farmers' market.
If you don't have a specialty cheese shop nearby, you can order online. Some sources suggest that Whole Foods and Trader Joe's stock burrata, although it may not be as fresh.
If you're looking for other types of cheese to serve on your cheese board, it's worth going to a dedicated cheese shop and asking for advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Burrata is a fresh cheese product, so it's best when eaten soon after purchase. It should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. For the creamiest burrata, opt for a local or premium product from a specialty cheese shop, local dairy, or farmer's market.
Burrata is mild and milky with a hint of sweetness, so choose ingredients that will pair well with this flavor profile. Popular choices include olive oil, fresh ground pepper, basil, mint, arugula, prosciutto, salami, olives, grapes, tomatoes, and French bread.
Place olive oil in the bowls where the burrata balls will sit, then drizzle the burrata with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Garnish the board with fresh herbs like basil and mint. You can place arugula on the board as a bed for some of the ingredients or use it on toast. Prepare your tomatoes by washing and slicing them, then arrange them on the platter.
Warm olive oil, tomatoes, basil, and garlic in a skillet. Cover and braise the tomatoes for about 20 minutes, then place the skillet under a broiler to give the tomatoes a char. Pour the braised tomatoes over the burrata and serve with bread.
Burrata is a versatile cheese that goes well with many dishes. It can be served as an appetizer with bread and olive oil, or paired with prosciutto and tomatoes. Burrata is also delicious on pizza, grilled flatbread, or salads.
