Burrata Salad Recipe

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 2 servings

The summer sun is shining and thoughts turn to fresh, light, and easy cooking. Salads are high on the agenda, and this fresh burrata salad with grilled nectarines works perfectly on hot days. Packed with a super-creamy Italian burrata cheese, the sweetness of grilled fruits, and an herbaceous pesto dressing, it will soon become a favorite of the season. Sounds like heaven? It is. Even better, this fantastic plate can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.

What makes the lovely salad even more exciting is you can play with the ingredients by adding your favorite herbs, leaves, or by switching out the nuts. The possibilities are endless. 

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

• 1/2 clove garlic, crushed

• 10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon pine nuts

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Salad:

• 2 large nectarines

• 1 large ball fresh burrata

• 6 to 10 little gem salad leaves

• 1/2 cup mixed tender herbs, such as basil, parsley, chives, and mint, small leaves only

• 10 large cherry tomatoes, quartered

• 1 teaspoon pine nuts

• Basil leaves, for garnish

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Place the basil and garlic into a food processor and blitz using the pulse setting. With the processor blades still running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady drizzle. Continue until the oil is combined with the basil.

3. Add the pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and pine nuts, then blitz again for a few seconds with the pulse setting (avoid overmixing by using a continuous button as this will chop up the ingredients too much). Taste and add salt as needed. Pour the dressing into a screw-top jar and set aside.

4. Heat a griddle pan to hot, but not smoking. If you have the grill lit, cook the fruit on there. Cut the nectarine into two, remove the stone, then place the four halves onto the pan. Leave for five minutes avoiding lifting or moving or you will tear the fruit. Cook until the nectarines have taken on the pretty char-grill lines, then lift off with a heatproof spatula and put to one side to cool.

5. It is likely your burrata will be in whey or water. If so, lift from the liquid and dry gently with a paper towel or a cloth. Put to one side while you prepare the salad. 

6. Lay the little gem leaves on the base of a serving dish, then place the fresh burrata in the center.

7. Cut the nectarines into small bite-sized pieces and place these around the plate the finally add the herbs and tomatoes.

8. Toast the pine nuts for 3 minutes in a hot skillet then sprinkle over the salad.

9. Spoon a little dressing over the cheese, salad, and tomatoes; be careful not to add too much, or you will overpower the taste of the burrata.

10. Gently open the burrata to allow the creamy center to be visible and for guests to dip in. Garnish with basil leaves, and serve with crusty bread.