This modern twist on the classic Caprese salad combines creamy burrata cheese with ripe tomatoes, freshly made basil oil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an irresistible dish.
I love the simplicity of fragrant basil, fresh tomatoes, and soft Italian cheese that make up a traditional Caprese salad. I’ve taken some liberties with these simple ingredients to make a punched up version of this classic.
Trading out fresh mozzarella cheese for creamy burrata keeps the beautiful harmony of soft mild cheese to tart tomato. However, burrata has a creamy center that is extra rich and adds beautiful depth.
I love being able to get just the right balance of curd with my tomatoes.
Basil is an essential part of a caprese salad and fresh basil oil adds all of the flavor without chewing on leaves. It also distributes that flavor more evenly over the whole dish.
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Ingredients
- Ripe Tomatoes
- Burrata
- Fresh Basil
- Olive Oil
- Aged Balsamic or Balsamic Glaze
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Burrata Caprese
Make Basil Oil
- Pour boiling water over cleaned basil leaves and leave for 30 seconds.
- Transfer basil leaves to an ice bath to stop cooking and retain color.
- Blend basil leaves with good extra virgin olive.
- Use as is or strain through a sieve for a refined sauce.
Assemble
- Start by slicing the heirloom tomatoes into thick rounds. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set them aside.
- Arrange the tomato slices on a serving platter. Scatter the cherry and grape tomato halves around the plate for a colorful presentation.
- Carefully place the burrata cheese in the center of the platter. If you have multiple smaller burrata balls, you can distribute them evenly around the tomatoes.
- Tuck fresh basil leaves around the tomatoes and burrata.
- Drizzle the basil oil over the salad, followed by the balsamic glaze. The balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy burrata and juicy tomatoes.
- Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salad to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of fresh flavors.
How to Serve
This easy caprese salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or entrée. I love to scoop this up onto some toasted ciabatta slices.
To keep from overheating during the summer months, I often serve this along side a quick 15-Minute Creamy Tomato Pasta.
Diana's Tips for Success
- Handle Burrata with Care: Burrata is a delicate cheese with a creamy interior. Handle it gently to prevent it from falling apart before serving.
- Homemade Balsamic Glaze: If you don't have balsamic glaze, you can make your own by simmering regular balsamic vinegar until it thickens and reduces by half. This intensifies the flavor and gives it a syrupy consistency.
- Experiment with Add-Ons: While the traditional ingredients are delicious, feel free to experiment by adding elements like avocado slices, prosciutto, or a sprinkle of pine nuts for added texture and flavor.
Storage
This is so easy to put together that it can be made fresh for all of tomato season. If you end up with leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Basil oil can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. After 5 days, it must be discarded and made fresh.
Top tip
For the best Burrata Caprese Salad; Choose the Freshest Ingredients: This salad relies on the quality of its ingredients. Opt for ripe, in-season, colorful tomatoes and fresh basil for the best flavor. I like to use a combination of juicy heirloom tomatoes along with some cherry tomatoes or even grape tomatoes to get some variety of texture and flavor.
FAQ
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture.
Yes, you can substitute burrata with fresh mozzarella if you prefer. However, burrata's creamy interior adds a unique texture and richness to the salad.
Related
- Genovese Basil Pesto Sauce
- 30- Minute Tomato Basil Bisque
- Prawn Risotto with Asparagus
- Pesto Calabrese
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📖 Recipe
Caprese with Burrata and Basil Oil
Ingredients
Basil Oil
- 1 Cup Basil loosely packed
- ¾ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Burrata Caprese Salad
- 2 Pounds Tomatoes
- 8 oz Ball Burrata
- 3 Tablespoons Basil Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Aged Balsamic Vinegar or Balsamic Glaze
- Coarse Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Basil Oil
- First, blanch the basil. This will allow the basil to release all of its flavor into the oil as well as preserve some of the color.
- Bring 1-2 cups of water to a boil.
- Place the basil leaves in a heat-safe bowl. Set up a second bowl with half and and half water to stop the basil from overcooking.
- Pour hot water over the basil leaves and let them sit for 30 seconds.
- Remove the basil from the hot water, and place them in the ice bath for 30 seconds.
- Then, transfer cooked basil to a blender along with olive oil.
- Blend until most of the basil has been integrated into the oil and there are no large pieces.
- Use as is or strain through a fine sieve.
Burrata Caprese Salad
- Wash tomatoes and remove the cores.
- Then cut the large tomatoes into thick slices and small tomatoes in halves or quarters.
- Arrange the tomatoes on a plate alternating by color and size.
- Next, Place a few basil leaves in between slices for added color.
- Gently, place the ball of burrata in the center of the plate. Alternatively, you can break the burrata apart and place chunks of curd around the tomatoes for a more rustic presentation.
- Drizzle basil oil and aged balsamic over the tomatoes and cheese.
- Finally, season generously with flaky sea salt and black pepper.
Notes
- Choose the Freshest Ingredients: This salad relies on the quality of its ingredients. Opt for ripe, in-season, colorful tomatoes and fresh basil for the best flavor. I like to use a combination of juicy heirloom tomatoes along with some cherry tomatoes or even grape tomatoes to get some variety of texture and flavor.
- Handle Burrata with Care: Burrata is a delicate cheese with a creamy interior. Handle it gently to prevent it from falling apart before serving.
- Homemade Balsamic Glaze: If you don't have balsamic glaze, you can make your own by simmering regular balsamic vinegar until it thickens and reduces by half. This intensifies the flavor and gives it a syrupy consistency.
- Experiment with Add-Ons: While the traditional ingredients are delicious, feel free to experiment by adding elements like avocado slices, prosciutto, or a sprinkle of pine nuts for added texture and flavor.
- What is burrata cheese? Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture.
- Can I use regular mozzarella instead of burrata? Yes, you can substitute burrata with fresh mozzarella if you prefer. However, burrata's creamy interior adds a unique texture and richness to the salad.
Nutrition
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Diana Reis says
I can't wait until you try this updated classic.