Burrata is hands-down my favorite cheese. I tried it for the first time at an Italian restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with my Dad over a decade ago, and became absolutely obsessed. I quickly learned that normal Super Markets did not carry the specialty cheese, and I would have to have it imported from Italy or use a restaurant supplier if I wanted to use the cheese at home. Luckily, over the last 10 years, others have become just as obsessed as me, and now Burrata is widely available everywhere in the USA.
Burrata itself is a soft and creamy cheese. Its outside is basically a Mozzarella ball, but the inside has been injected with cream and stracciatella. Stracciatella, which is derived from the Latin word stracciare, meaning "to rip or tear up," is typically talked about when referring to a Vanilla Gelato with chocolate flakes in it, or an Italian Egg Drop soup. When talking about Burrata, stracciatella means ripped up/stringy bits of mozzarella mixed in with the cream to form a beautiful and creamy filling. PERFECT for topping a salad! (Scroll to the very bottom to see me cutting the cheese (the Burrata))
Since Burrata is so creamy, I like to pair it with a mixture of Salad greens that have a bit more acidity; like Arugula!
Strawberry Burrata Salad
Ingredients:
1 Burrata Ball
1 Cup Sliced Strawberries
4 Cups Arugula Leaves
4 Cups Spinach Leaves
2 Cups Watercress
1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts
Recommended Dressing: Balsamic Vinaigrette, or Straight-Up Balsamic Vinegar
Directions:
1. In a small, ungreased pan, place 1/4 Cup of Pine Nuts. Toast over Medium Heat, stirring/shaking the pan frequently, until pine nuts are toasted on one or two sides, and are giving off an aroma. (They can burn easily, so remove from heat and from the pan immediately when you are finished toasting).
2. Rinse and strain all of your leafy greens (Arugula, Watercress, Spinach), then combine in a salad bowl.
3. Top with sliced strawberries, toasted Pine Nuts, and your Burrata ball! (And dressing if you wish!)
4. When serving, make sure that everyone has a piece of the inside and outside of the delicious burrata!
Never in a million years would I ever think that I would find myself saying "Let me film myself cutting the cheese" out loud... but it happened. I could NOT resist cutting the amazing Burrata to show you the glorious insides!
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