Last year, I revealed that I was in love with burrata cheese. I am happy to report that my love affair continues.
While burrata is pricey, it's well worth it. You can find burrata at specialty cheese shops and most specialty grocers. BelGioioso is a domestic brand of burrata found at many grocery stores; an 8-ounce container with one ball of burrata is about $8.
Burrata is beloved by many for its mild flavor and creamy, rich-tasting center.
While burrata is good on its own with some good bread, I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to serve it. Being that's fresh fruit season, that makes it all the easier. The creaminess of burrata pairs well with any stone fruit (think peaches, plums) as well as melons and berries.
For today's recipe, I chose fresh figs and red grapes based on a recipe I glanced at in a magazine. Fresh figs are sometimes hard to come by, but they are so delicious. I love their sweet flavor and slightly chewy flesh and soft skin. You'll find fresh figs at stores typically during the summer through October. There are several fig varieties from green-skinned to purplish-black. The latter is so noted for its dark color and great nutritional value. The darker the fruit (or vegetable), the higher the nutrients. Nutrition-wise, figs are a good source of fiber. They also have a good amount of potassium, known to help control insulin, heart health and lower blood pressure. The darker, purple varieties have a high concentration of antioxidants that help ward off certain diseases.
Fresh figs are highly perishable. You can typically keep them at least three days in the refrigerator.
When grilling figs, don't put them on scorching hot grill grates. Medium-low is best to prevent their natural sugars from burning. Figure right around 300 degrees if your grill has a temperature gauge. Make sure you oil the grates well to prevent the fruit from sticking.
This recipe works great as an appetizer. While the toasted baguette slices are listed as optional, I highly recommend it. You can make these up for your guests or let them spread the burrata on the bread slices and top it with the fruit. Either way, it's one fancy appetizer your guests will swoon over. You can also serve it as a dessert, as the original version recommended.
