Description
This simple yet elegant dish features juicy cherry tomatoes marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, vinegars, honey, and herbs, served with creamy burrata cheese and crusty bread. It’s a perfect appetizer, light meal, or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 1/2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (chili flakes), to taste
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 1/2 (8 ounce) balls burrata cheese, at room temperature
- Grilled bread, toasted bread, or crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Make Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, champagne vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), honey, grated garlic, chopped basil, and chopped thyme.
- Season Marinade: Season the marinade generously with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Marinate Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the marinade. Toss gently to coat the tomatoes evenly.
- Marinate Time: Allow the tomatoes to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to overnight. If refrigerating, bring the tomatoes back to room temperature before serving.
- Assemble and Serve: To serve, arrange the marinated tomatoes on a serving platter or in individual bowls. Break the burrata balls open and place them among the tomatoes. Drizzle any remaining marinade from the bowl over the burrata and tomatoes. Serve immediately with grilled bread, toasted bread, or crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful cherry tomatoes for the best results. You can use a mix of different colors for visual appeal.
- Burrata: Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese with a creamy center. If you can’t find it, fresh mozzarella is a good substitute. Make sure it is at room temperature for optimal creaminess.
- Vinegar: Champagne vinegar adds a delicate flavor, but apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
- Herbs: Feel free to adjust the amounts of basil and thyme to your preference. You can also add other fresh herbs, such as oregano or parsley.
- Make-Ahead: The tomatoes can be marinated several hours or even a day in advance. The flavors will meld and deepen over time.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is delicious as an appetizer, a light lunch, or a side dish.