Description
This simple yet elegant dish features sweet and juicy roasted tomatoes paired with creamy burrata cheese. It’s perfect as an appetizer, light meal, or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Roasted Tomatoes:
- 2 pints (approximately 4 cups) grape or cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed but left unpeeled
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon dried herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for serving)
For Serving:
- 8 ounces burrata cheese, at room temperature
- Grilled bread, crostini, or crackers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Prepare Tomatoes: On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the grape or cherry tomatoes, smashed garlic cloves (unpeeled), dried herbs, dried chili flakes (if using), olive oil, and balsamic vinegar (if using). Season generously with salt and black pepper. Toss everything together until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
- Roast Tomatoes: Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 8-10 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft, their skins have split, and some are slightly charred. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully remove the roasted garlic cloves and squeeze the softened garlic out of their peels. Mash the roasted garlic into the pan juices with a fork.
- Add herbs
- Assemble and Serve:
- Option 1 (Plated): Arrange the roasted tomatoes (with their juices) and the mashed roasted garlic on a serving plate or platter. Place the burrata ball (or balls) in the center or alongside the tomatoes.
- Option 2 (Burrata First): Place the burrata ball(s) on a serving plate or platter. You can tear the burrata in half or into chunks if desired. Spoon the roasted tomatoes and their juices around the burrata.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle everything, including the burrata, with a little extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar, if desired. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately with grilled bread, crostini, or crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Tomatoes: You can use any type of small tomatoes, such as grape, cherry, or a mix.
- Herbs: Feel free to use your favorite herbs. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, and Italian seasoning all work well.
- Burrata: Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese with a creamy center. If you can’t find it, you can substitute fresh mozzarella or goat cheese.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is delicious as an appetizer, a light meal, or a side dish. It’s also great served at room temperature or slightly warm.