Description
Silky burrata cheese meets its match in homemade pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes, creating a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece. Crisp basil, golden olive oil, and sweet caramelized tomatoes invite you to savor this simple yet elegant Italian appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (8-ounce) burrata cheese ball
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
Seasoning and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish and Serving:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
- Crostini or crusty bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C), preparing a baking sheet for roasting cherry tomatoes with precision and care.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and distribute them evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring maximum caramelization potential.
- Generously coat the tomatoes with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, massaging the ingredients to create a uniform flavor profile.
- Roast the tomatoes for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until they become soft, slightly charred, and beautifully burst open, releasing their intense sweetness.
- Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and let them rest while preparing the presentation.
- Select a elegant serving platter and gently place the burrata cheese at its center, allowing it to be the focal point of the dish.
- Artfully spoon fresh pesto around the burrata, creating a vibrant and aromatic base that complements the creamy cheese.
- Carefully arrange the roasted cherry tomatoes atop and around the burrata, allowing their caramelized juices to mingle with the pesto.
- Optional: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the dish to introduce a subtle sweetness and enhance the overall flavor complexity.
- Scatter fresh basil leaves across the plate for a final touch of color and herbaceous aroma.
- Serve immediately alongside toasted crostini or crusty bread, inviting guests to create their own perfect bites.
Notes
- Select room-temperature burrata for the creamiest, most luxurious texture that melts beautifully when served.
- Roast cherry tomatoes until they’re slightly charred and caramelized to enhance their natural sweetness and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free bread or replacing crostini with vegetable crudités for a lighter, low-carb option.
- Customize the pesto by substituting traditional basil with alternatives like spinach, kale, or arugula for varied nutritional benefits and unique taste experiences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg