Starters
Italian
ItalianCaprese Salad
Tomato, mozzarella and basil, the simplest of Italian starters where ingredient quality is everything. The tiers move from everyday mozzarella to buffalo mozzarella and finally creamy burrata with aged balsamic.
Vegetarian
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Ultimate version
Creamy burrata with heritage tomatoes, basil oil and aged balsamic glaze.
Per serving£2.88
Total cost£11.50
Time20 min
Ingredients for 4
- Salad
- 500 g heritage tomatoes , mixed colours, sliced
- 2 burrata , at room temperature
- Basil oil
- 30 g fresh basil
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
- To finish
- 2 tbsp aged balsamic glaze
- 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
- freshly cracked black pepper , to taste
Method
- Blanch the basil for 10 seconds, refresh in iced water, then blitz with the olive oil and a pinch of salt; strain to make a vivid basil oil.
- Season the sliced heritage tomatoes with flaky salt and let them sit for 10 minutes to release their juices.
- Arrange the tomatoes on a platter and nestle the whole burrata in the centre.
- Tear the burrata open at the table so the creamy centre spills out.
- Drizzle with the basil oil and aged balsamic glaze, scatter over the toasted pine nuts, then finish with flaky salt and cracked pepper.
Equipment
- blender
- fine sieve
- serving platter
The three ways, side by side
Budget
Sliced tomatoes and value mozzarella with dried basil and olive oil.
Better
Buffalo mozzarella and ripe vine tomatoes with fresh basil and good olive oil.
Ultimate
Creamy burrata with heritage tomatoes, basil oil and aged balsamic glaze.
