When you get your hands on some truly spectacular ingredients they don’t need much interfering with. I picked up some sublimely sweet tomatoes and a small burrata at a market recently and I wanted these simple ingredients to shine. My balsamic roasted tomatoes and burrata were served with a warm olive studded focaccia which we enjoyed eating outside for the first time this year. When you’re serving up tomatoes, cheese and warm bread can you really go wrong?
Ingredients
You will need (for two):
- Large handful cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Small handful fresh basil
- 1 burrata (you could use a good buffalo mozzarella if you can’t get burrata)
- Focaccia (you could use ciabatta instead)
Method
Arrange the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish cut side up. Drizzle over the oil and vinegar and add a little salt and pepper.
Roast the tomatoes in an oven at 200C for 20-30 minutes or until soft and starting to brown at the edges.
Remove from the oven, leave to cool slightly then tear over the basil.
You can warm the focaccia in the oven at the same time as the tomatoes.
Serve the tomatoes with the warm focaccia and burrata on the side. I like to add a little extra virgin olive oil over the burrata.
I’m not sure there’s much better than taking a warm piece of herby focaccia, spreading some extremely creamy burrata onto it and then topping it with an intensely sweet roasted tomato. Just sublime. I love the depth of flavour that comes from roasting the tomatoes and the fragrant basil finishes them off perfectly; I prefer big shards of basil rather than tiny pieces. A meal of cheese and tomatoes; pure simplicity and, if I may say so myself, absolute perfection.
Exactly! Quality ingredients speak for themselves. This looks very fresh and tasty!
Just beautiful, Caroline. I agree wholeheartedly: when you have the best ingredients, let them shine! We are in the beginning of tomato season here and the cherry tomatoes (my favorites are the sun good and sweet 100s) are sweet and meaty – perfect for your recipe. I have been working on a focaccia recipe to post – last time it was perfect! Coming soon…
You are so right, these are the perfect ingredients for a lovely light lunch or dinner. When we visit a city we always take the car fridge so we can go shopping for cheese, burrata is right up there with of the most delightful cheeses every created. You have certainly created justice for these simple, fresh ingredients. Thanks Caroline.
I think this is a great appy or meal by itself. Perfect on fresh homemade ciabatta.
You’re so right! These beautiful ingredients need nothing but a little balsamic and oil. I love this! A perfect summer dinner!
Simple is so often best, isn’t it? Such a nice easy — easy, tasty, and, well, simple. 🙂
Oh, my gosh, how delicious!!! I love the idea of roasting the tomatoes to bring out their sweetness. And I can never resist burrata!
this sounds a nd looks absolutely delicious !
Ahh, so lovely. Still waiting on good tomatoes where I live. It’s the only good thing about the summers that I have to endure. We ate at a restaurant in Eataly and ordered straciatella, if I’m spelling that right, with grilled bread. It’s the INSIDE of buratta!!!!! I still have dreams about it.
That sounds SO good!!
What a delicious and easy summer meal.
delicious! i’ve only eaten burrata a handful of times but enough to know that t’s some incredible stuff!
Love it ! Just love it !!!!
I really love burrata and recently found some really good stuff but have been wondering what to do with it, beyond sticking it on top of pizza. I think you’re right about keeping it simple and letting great ingredients speak for themselves; I think I’ll give this a try 🙂
It’s definitely worth a try Laura! Burrata is also great in/on focaccia with sundried tomatoes, olives, artichokes and whatever else you like!
I love burrata on pizza, or melted into pasta. It works particularly well with tomatoes and peppers I think.