Burrata Crisp Dinner

Happy Friday darling readers!

I have something to share with you. Something fabulous and tender yet flavorful and complex. Something you just have to try. 

And that something is this: Burrata.

Out of all the fun food things I've discovered thus far in Toronto, burrata* has to be the best. Burrata (meaning buttered in Italian) is a fabulously dense yet incredibly light Italian cheese made from buffalo milk - though in North America, cow is not uncommon - and cream, essentially. It's got a gooey liquidish centre with stringy cheese all wrapped up in a thin mozzarella "casing". Rich. Buttery. Slightly sour. Milky. Divine. 

Keep it simple, my friends. It's usually served at room temperature and eaten within 24 hours of purchase. Get the freshest stuff you can - the older, the less good it is. This ain't no cheddar cheese. This is an Italian delicacy that you have to try. For reals. Serve with some tomatoes, maybe a bit of basil. And definitely some good quality olive oil and a good helping of S & P. And you've got yourself a stellar starter to a main course. I transported mine on some olive and herb bread from the bakery down the street and it was a dinner worthy of any fancy-pants Italian restaurant. 

*You can find Burrata in downtown Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market. 

Burrata Crisp Dinner

(printable recipe) - serves 4.

Ingredients:

1 "Ball" Fresh Burrata.

8 Thin Slices of your favorite bread - something simple yet flavorful.

Handful of Cherry Tomatoes, halved OR a couple heirloom big boys, sliced.

2 Cups Arugula or watercress or rocket.

Good Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Coarse Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.

What to Do:

Remove the burrata from the fridge and allow to sit for 20 - 30 minutes while you prep the rest of the meal. I recommend removing it from the watery liquid it comes in and gently set aside. 

Lightly salt the sliced tomatoes. Lightly salting them will bring out their juice and flavor while they sit.

Now pre-heat your broiler to high. As it heats, lightly brush the sliced bread with some olive oil. Place under the element and toast until golden and crispy. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Lightly dress the greens with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Throw everything on a plate, and serve. (Does it get any simpler?).

Eat.

What's your favorite cheese? Have you ever had burrata? What did you think?