Easy and Gourmet: Burrata with Crostini

I don’t know about you, but it is definitely a goal of mine to do more of what makes me happy and less of what makes me stressed. One area where there never seems to be enough time is with cooking, and this makes me stressed. I love to cook and bake, and it would be so wonderful to have the time to cook a large dinner for the family every night. However, I live in reality and some days I am just thankful to get sub sandwiches and chips on the dinner table.

Recipes that I love most are those that can accommodate our family schedules yet taste like fine dining. One of my favorite snack/appetizer recipes that is easy to make and tastes completely gourmet is burrata with crostini.

In Italian, burrata means buttered. It is a cheese made from Italian cow’s milk and sometimes buffalo milk. Burrata is typically made by infusing mozzarella balls with a butter and cream mixture.

I learned about burrata in a few cooking classes that I have taken, and I am so glad that burrata and I have formed a relationship! The cheese is sometimes hard to find, but I always stock up each time that I visit Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s burrata is usually in a round container with the mozzarella balls submerged in a solution.

Crostini is also Italian. It is just a fancy name for small pieces of bread with toppings, usually served as an appetizer. Just a note, crostini is plural, while crostino is singular. Burrata with crostini is an amazing appetizer, but many days, I will take it as my lunch.

There are many variations of burrata with crostini, and the world is really your oyster in creating them (hey, oysters can be served on them too)! Many people use tomatoes or types of chutney. I prefer burrata with oils, especially olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A little basil to top it off and in my opinion, you have a culinary masterpiece!

If you serve burrata with crostini at a function or gathering, people will be completely impressed. Or, you can eat them all by yourself like I do many days. Either way, burrata with crostini is timeless and great for any occasion.

This is how I put my burrata with crostini together…

Burrata with Crostini

1-2 burrata balls, drained (if the cheese is submerged the solution, just scoop the balls out with a spoon).

Crostini- I would toast a bunch of crostini. If you can’t find crostini, don’t fret. Buy a loaf of Italian, French, or Sourdough from the bakery inside your local grocer and lightly toast it.

1-2 tablespoons of olive oil

1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon of basil

Make sure you have drained the burrata from its solution (pictured here). Place your cheese on a serving tray, or in my case, a bowl to take with me for lunch.

Take a small knife or fork and slightly open the burrata balls so that the oils can seep into the center of the cheese.

Drizzle the olive oil and the balsamic vinegar all over the cheese.

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Sprinkle with basil. Place the mixture in the refrigerator.

While the mixture is cooling, toast the crostini with or without a spread of butter. When I do spread butter, I use Kerry Gold Unsalted. Toast until the bread is golden brown.

After the bread has toasted, either spread the burrata mixture on each crostino or plate the mixture so that people (or yourself) can dip the bread into the spread. I am personally a dipper, and I like a lot of burrata on my crostini!

Burrata definitely gives me more happiness and less stress. It is a quick snack or meal with a genuine gourmet taste. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Do you have a quick snack or meal that tastes gourmet? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!