Cheese Bliss: How to Serve Burrata Savor Its Creamy Delight

What is Burrata?

It is a fresh Italian cheese made by combining mozzarella and cream. Its outer contains a thin shell of mozzarella, and the inside has a mozzarella and cream mixture that gives it a rich, creamy taste. It belongs to the stretched curd family of cheeses, also known as pasta filata.

It originated in the southern Italian region of Apulia in the 1950s.

How to Eat Burrata

You can combine it with any summer produce to create a delicious meal. Tear the outer part of the cheese and mix it with pasta or salad. Add olive oil and flakey salt to the creamy inside and serve it with roasted vegetables, grilled bread, or tomatoes. Burrata is a versatile cheese, so there are endless possibilities to enjoy it.

What Does Burrata Taste Like?

It has a deliciously rich, creamy, buttery flavor (not categorized as umami) similar to mozzarella but with an even more indulgent texture thanks to its creamy interior. Burrata is a luxurious and delicate cheese that is a sensory treat.

What to Do With Burrata

So, what can you do with burrata? Below is a list of recipes to help you make the most of this delicious cheese:

1. Radishes and burrata.
2. Barley, cauliflower, and herbs with burrata.
3. Pickled nectarine salad with burrata.
4. Snap pea salad and burrata.
5. Tomato, pickled melon, and burrata salad.
6. Heirloom tomato burrata salad. 
7. Grilled beets with burrata and poppy seed vinaigrette.
8. Crispy pancetta, burrata, and tomato sandwiches.
9. Campanelle pasta with burrata, spinach, lemon, and toasted almonds.
10. Crostini with burrata, pink pepper, and arugula leeks.
11. Vinaigrette with burrata and mustard.

How to Serve Burrata Cheese

Always Serve it Below Room Temperature

Always serve this cheese at room temperature to allow the flavors to develop fully. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving and allow it to warm up.

Enjoy It Fresh

Burrata is a fresh cheese you consume on the same day you make it or as soon as possible after you buy it. Eating it after several days can spoil its flavor and make it taste sour.

Season It Simply

Simple seasonings are all you need to bring out the best of burrata. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt; this helps in enhancing the fresh tangy flavors.

Add It to Pizza

After taking the pizza out of the oven, add slices of this cheese on top and serve immediately. It pairs great with fresh tomatoes and arugula, but you can try it with a prosciutto pizza.

Pair It With Truffles

Another delicious way to enjoy burrata is by pairing it with truffles. The earthy aroma of the truffle (mushroom) complements the creamy texture and tangy flavor of the cheese. This combination is perfect for a romantic dinner. 

Enjoy It With Bread and Jam

Spread some high-quality jam on a slice of toasted bread, then place the burrata cheese over it. The combination of sweet and creamy is simply delicious. You can also add some fresh herbs or roasted nuts for added texture and flavor.

Use It in Caprese

Burrata is similar to mozzarella and is an excellent caprese salad addition. You can use it instead of mozzarella.

Burrata is a great cheese to serve as an appetizer. It pairs particularly well with crusty bread, crackers, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Below are some additional ideas on how to serve burrata as an appetizer.

1. Burrata bruschetta: Top toasted slices of crusty bread with slices of this cheese, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of herbs.
2. Burrata with prosciutto: Serve slices of burrata topped with slices of prosciutto and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
3. Burrata with grilled vegetables: Toss grilled zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers with this cheese. Sprinkle with herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon.

How to Serve Burrata With Tomatoes

One of the best ways to serve burrata is with tomatoes. This classic Italian combination is simple yet incredibly flavorful. To make this dish:

1. Slice a fresh tomato and place it on a plate.
2. Top with slices of burrata and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh basil leaves.
4. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious juices.

How to Serve Burrata Warm

To ensure that the creamy center of your burrata is not too hard, allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before consuming. Alternatively, you can warm it up by immersing it in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes.

Where Can I Buy Burrata?

Although previously, you could find burrata in Puglia only; several importers now bring it to the United States. However, importing this cheese is not accessible due to its perishability; you need to consume it within a week of being made; otherwise, it will lose its fresh flavor.

Stinky Brooklyn buys this cheese from a company that collects the cheese from the airport and delivers it to the store when the customs releases it.

On the West Coast, flying burrata in from Italy is a bit more of a challenge — it often takes so long to get there that it’s no longer fresh. But Gioia Cheese Co., based outside of L.A., makes a local version that’s supposed to be fantastic. It’s available from many cheesemongers in L.A. and San Francisco and has become trendy on West Coast menus.

Burrata’s Seasonality

Although Pugliese burrata is in plastic packaging these days, traditionally, you would find it wrapped in leaves from a plant similar to leeks. To date, you will still find these leaves used as a freshness indicator. The cheese is of high quality if they are still green and soft.

While this cheese has no season in Italy, it’s more commonly available in the U.S. during summer. This is because the cheese complements summer flavors well. A popular summer dish combines burrata with ripe tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, and pepper.

This cheese is not readily available in many U.S. stores during winter due to difficulty selling it fresh. Therefore, relishing it when it is available during summer is wise. You can enjoy it by slicing the last tomatoes from your garden or local farmers’ market and cutting into this cheese to relish the creamy curds inside.

FAQS

What’s the Difference Between Burrata and Mozzarella?

Burrata and mozzarella are Italian cheeses, but the two have some critical differences. Burrata is creamier than mozzarella due to its higher fat content. It also has a more delicate flavor and texture that is creamy on the inside and slightly chewy on the outside. Mozzarella, on the other hand, is firmer and milder in taste. 

How Can I Tell if Burrata Has Gone Bad?

When it goes bad, the flavor becomes sour and smells like old milk. It would be best if you ate this cheese as fresh as possible. Eating this creamy burrata as soon as possible in Italy might mean eating it on the same day you make it.

Can You Eat the “Skin” of Burrata?

The outer layer of this cheese is essentially solid mozzarella, and you can eat it with the shredded cheese and cream mixture inside. So, consuming the entire thing in one go is ideal.

Is Burrata Healthy?

How does this cheese affect your health? While it is a good source of protein and calcium, burrata, like most cheeses, is high in fat and calories. Therefore, it would help to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Compared to lower-fat and lower-calorie cheeses like feta or goat cheese, burrata is a less healthy option.

Parting Thoughts

In conclusion, this cheese is a decadent, creamy delight that deserves you to savor it in all its glory. You can easily create delicious burrata-inspired appetizers or entrees with a few essential ingredients. 

All it takes is some savory flavors, an eye for presentation, and a little planning to make your cheese dish stand out for any occasion. Be sure to choose the freshest ingredients and get creative with toppings to elevate your recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. 

So next time you’re looking for the perfect addition to your meal, consider indulging in some locally-sourced burrata—you won’t regret it! Don’t forget to experiment with different flavor combinations and presentation styles when serving burrata cheeses, as they are so versatile and can bring a unique flair to any dish.

So what are you waiting for? Try adding this cheese to your next culinary creation. You won’t regret treating yourself and your friends (or family) to this delicious Italian burrata!