Burrata
Burrata is a fresh cow's milk cheese from Apulia: a shell of mozzarella curd (pasta filata) filled with "stracciatella", a mix of mozzarella shreds and cream. Cut it open and the creamy filling spills out.
Origin
The name means "buttered" (Italian burro = butter). It was invented around 1920 in Andria to use up mozzarella scraps.
In flexitarian cooking
For flexitarians, burrata is a vegetarian star that turns a simple salad, antipasti or pasta into a main course.
Alternative
Buffalo mozzarella or stracciatella on its own. For vegan, a creamy cashew "mozzarella".
Tip
Take burrata out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving, as it has little flavour when cold. Cut it open at the table and season with good olive oil, salt and pepper.
Related recipes
Burrata tomato salad, Asparagus duo salad with burrata, Bean-burrata salad with caramelised peaches
Related terms
B