Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil and Burrata

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil and Burrata

If you have never tried nor heard of burrata, you are in for a treat. Originating in Italy in Puglia, burrata is a fresh cheese that is closely related to mozzarella. To make it, a piece of newly formed mozzarella is stretched into a flat sheet and used to form a pouch. It is then filled with fresh cheese curds, “topped off” with heavy cream, and sealed. The result is about as rich a cheese as one could ever imagine.

Indigo Rose Heirloom tomatoes

For those of you who follow these pages you will know that working 6 days a week does not stop More Than Burnt Toast from having fun and enjoying all that the valley has to offer. On my recent day off I ventured down to the Penticton Farmer market. I found these special "Indigo Rose" heirloom tomatoes at the Penticton Farmers market and had to make something special to highlight their sundrenched flavour. Enter burrata and fresh basil for a simple and yet satisfying salad. A boost from a light balsamic dressing that compliments the delicate flavour of the tomatoes and creamy burrata and you will be in heaven. Of course if you do not come across burrata you can substitute fresh mozzarella. On another note this salad is perfect with pasta too.

Penticton Farmers Market

I can most often find burrata on my weekly journey to my hometown "foodie mecca" our local Italian grocers. This past year Valaroso expanded and upgraded and along with that they introduced whole new lines of pastas, sauces, and ingredients that leave me weak in the knees. When I am searching for fresh ricotta, morel mushrooms or figs this is my "go to" place to find those longed for ingredients to add excitement to my dining room table. Italians are known for taking ‘simple’ dishes and basic ingredients to the height of perfection. Please check out my other tomato recipes before these harbingers of summer are gone for the season.

Penticton Farmers Market

**Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil and Burrata**

2-3 pounds heirloom tomatoes, sliced and chopped to your liking
Fresh spinach, a few handfuls
8 ounces fresh Burrata cheese, sliced and torn (as best as you can) into several bite-size pieces
Fresh basil leaves

Dressing:

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 sprig of fresh thyme leaves 
1 very small clove garlic, chopped finely
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Prepare dressing by whisking all the ingredients together until blended. 

Toss with tomatoes. Cover and let sit at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once you are ready to serve, layer the spinach onto a serving platter or individual plates.

Arrange the tomato mixture on top of the spinach and evenly distribute the burrata over the tomatoes.

Garnish with fresh basil and season with sea salt and pepper.  Grab a glass of wine, and enjoy this simple salad.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.