My mantra? The simpler the recipe, the more imperative the need for extraordinary ingredients. Case in point: my Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad.
Okay, Okay. I’m pretty sure I know what you’re thinking.
Yes, I have gone a bit bonkers on the tomato recipes of late. And yes, this basic summer salad barely constitutes an entire blog post. But I realized something when I was looking over my recipes that include the summertime C word, like my Avocado Caprese Wrap, Grilled Caprese Skewers, Quinoa and Burrata Caprese Salad and my Caprese Sandwich with Arugula and Olive Spread.
I realized that the actual basic caprese salad was the missing link in my recipe repertoire.
Plus, once we pulled this dish together I knew those heirloom tomatoes were too darn pretty not to share.
Let’s call this recipe an impulse post. Sadly I have no new impulse-purchased shoes to go with it.
Eaten two nights ago with a smattering of friends who were the targets of the photo shoot I had conned them into being the subjects of, they consumed the entire platter in about 5 minutes flat. No kids allowed. And even I barely snuck in a bite.
That’s the way burrata and fresh heirloom tomatoes (like this recipe) should be consumed, with a tight reign and a secret knock to enter and certainly not wasted on palates that could potentially underappreciate their lushness.
The tomatoes came from the farmer’s market. This was a 1 1/2 pound beauty Smudge couldn’t quite wrap her head around. She says it was more like holding a small pumpkin. Oh those recipes will be creeping their way into the round ups soon. But for now, I’m sticking with tomatoes.
The cheese came from Wisconsin. Have you heard? They sort of have a knack for cheese.
And with a few quick slices of the knife by my friend Michelle and a run to the garden for fresh basil leaves by Smudge & E, the crowd was then polled, “Balsamic or not?” and with an enthusastic “YES!” Angie added a generous drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
There was no over-thinking the food styling, just push it all in the platter and make it fit.
And then this. The simpler, the better and the ingredients spoke for themselves. ‘Nuff said.
Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 balls fresh burrata cheese
- 4-6 heirloom tomatoes sliced
- handful of fresh basil leaves
- extra virgin olive oil the fruitier the better
- good quality balsamic vinegar
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Arrange the tomatoes on a platter around the burrata cheese balls. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves then drizzle with a healthy pour of extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve at room temperature.
So if you aren’t completely over this tomato onslaught, check out these caprese tricks up some fab food blogger’s sleeves.
What? Jessica has leftover wine? All the better to marinate with (I’m talking about the meat here people) in How Sweet Eats Red Wine Marinated Flank Steak with Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad.
Jeanine was in the mood for a briny tang, which led to grilled veggies and an almond studded spread shusch up Love and Lemons Veggie Caprese Sandwich with Olive Pesto.
Stacked in a cup for a pretty presentation with a topping of pesto, My Apron Strings Tomato Caprese Parfaits will rock your world.
Flavored cream cheese makes for a creamy interpretation in a perfect little cup in Deb’s Caprese Tartelettes from Taste and Tell.
What’s the secret to getting 5 bajillion pins on Pinterest? Jessica has the secret: Make it ooey, make it gooey and make it The Novice Chef’s Caprese Chicken.
Karen knows what makes for good Caprese-ing: “Bread, toasted in olive oil. Tomatoes. Lots of them. Basil. Lots of that. And, yes, cubes of fresh mozzarella.” That’s enough of a reason for me to dig into The Hazel Blooms Caprese Panzanella.
Cook it up in the oven or toss it on the grill. Whichever way you do it is up to you, but just do it. Baked Caprese Garlic Bread from Ally’s Sweet and Savory Eats.
Laurie’s gardening skills are the fruits of her labor in Simply Scratch’s Pressed Caprese Sandwich.
Not much more to add to Kelley’s description of Mountain Mama Cook’s Grilled Crostini with Garlic Marinated Tomato Caprese. “Easy-peasy-yum-scrum.” What she said.
Lindsay has come up with the perfect recipe to gently nudge us from the glory of summer’s fare to fall’s bounty: Pinch of Yum’s Baked Caprese Rigatoni
Thank you Wisconsin Cheese for sending me some of my favorite burrata. I could live on that stuff. And thanks to my readers for supporting my partners which allows me to create new and special content for my readers. All opinions are my own.
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Kathryn says
Such beautiful pictures Heidi – you definitely know how to show ingredients off to their best.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love tomatoes & just posted a tomato recipe, too! Your recipe is gorgeous!!! WOW~the photos, the flavors, I want!
ThisBakerGirlBlogs says
What a gorgeous dish with such beautiful colours!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I’ve been seeing burrata popping all over the Net. Can’t wait to try soon. Love this fresh caprese salad. So colorful :)
Michelle says
salivating re-living the sweetness of those tomatoes!!!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Oh man, those tomatoes are gorgeous! Plus burrata is a freaking dream cheese, so I bet this salad is killer!
Tieghan says
Wow! Such gorgeous photos! So jealous of your pretty tomatoes!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
I am going to turn into a tomato by the end of the summer! And I don’t even care! I cannot get enough of these beautiful tomatoes. And of course, always add a drizzle of balsamic!
Erika says
I’d say this is extraordinary! So lovely!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Gorgeous! I love how huge the heirloom tomatoes can get! Pinning this beauty!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
I have to make this for dinner tonight!! Simple but tomatoes right now are amazing…
Nikki @NikSnacks says
The tomatoes in NC haven’t been very good this year. It’s been too wet and not hot enough.We’ve only had 7 days above 90 degrees F in 2013 so far. Womp womp. Most have been bland and flavorless. Your round-up here, gives me hope! lol
Cookin' Canuck says
I will never tire of caprese in any form, particularly not one made with burrata. That is a little bit of heaven on a plate!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
You can never have too much caprese during the summer….especially when it includes burrata!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
Oh. My. Word….Yum.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous, this salad is summer heaven!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
My garden is bursting with tomatoes so I can’t thank you enough for all of your caprese recipes!!
Diane {Created by Diane} says
oh how I love caprese…..anything and this salad is beautiful, wish I were biting into some right now!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
You know I am all over heirloom tomato season!! And that spread of cheese makes me so happy I could cry!!!
Des says
Anything caprese and I am all for it. Caprese with buratta? And I’m weak in the knees.
marla says
I am with you….these simple whole food recipes deserve the best ingredients we can find. These all look great!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Those tomatoes are GORGEOUS!! There is no way I’ll ever tire of a caprese, but your version would be an extra special experience, yum!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Sign me up! This salad looks so fresh and delicious!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
This is exactly what I want to eat during the summer when the tomatoes are so good and the heat makes me crave something fresh and easy.
marla says
This salad is stunning!
Helena says
“Tight reign” = “tight rein.” Comes from horses, not kings.
LexMod says
It looks so delicious. I got your recipe and I will try to make this dish. I love it.
anh dep vip says
Great!, so I usually hate things that are trying to be meat, but aren’t meat, but with real ingredients like cheese and tomato, these sound even BETTER than real buffalo wings!
Bollywood dancers says
Looks good
Anna says
I Like it. This dish are my very favourite food of all time. Thanks very much hinh anh dep
Richard says
Cool, I like this recipe. most effective beverage for hot summer
Jill says
I feel weak in the knees just looking at your Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad. It’s a work of art!
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Sharon says
I love tomato, Can’t wait to try soon.
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Tour Co to says
I love tomato, Can’t wait to try soon.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
You will love this!
Cho thue nha ve sinh says
Wow! Such gorgeous photos! So jealous of your pretty tomatoes!
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Thu Thuat Nhanh says
I was drooling when I saw your photograph of food! I can eat 2 servings at the same time. I will save your recipes. Thanks!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
I can too! So yummy. Thanks so much.