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Home » Specific Diets » Vegetarian

Published: Sep 8, 2017 by Jacqui

Fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream.


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Fusilli with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

Pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream:

Pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata is really one of the most simplest yet most delicious combinations. Here in Italy there are many recipes for pasta with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, commonly known as either pasta caprese or ‘alla Sorrentina’. However, no matter how good the mozzarella you use, I really think burrata is better! (go straight to the recipe)

So what’s burrata?

Burrata, which was first made around 1900 on a farm in Andria, Puglia, is the lesser known cousin of mozzarella. It begins life as mozzarella. The outer shell is mozzarella but the inside is mozzarella scraps known as stracciatella, and cream. Here in Italy it’s also possible to buy the stracciatella separately!

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

When they make burrata, they take fresh mozzarella curds plunge them into hot water or whey. They then knead this warm cheese into a pouch of fresh mozzarella which is then filled with stracciatella and fresh cream! The whole package is sealed up by twisting the mozzarella together in a little knot. Sounds delicious? It’s divinely delicious, especially because when you cut open a burrata cheese, the creamy centre comes oozing out! That centre has a buttery flavour, hence the name ‘burrata’!

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

So, burrata gives any dish a much more creamy buttery flavour than mozzarella. Also because of its soft centre burrata can easily be creamed and melts faster than mozzarella. In fact this recipe involves creaming the burrata. This cream is then put onto the bottom of the plate and the pasta, tomatoes and basil breadcrumbs go on top. It’s mouthwateringly wonderful.

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

Most Italian pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata dishes aren’t made with a smooth tomato sauce or passata, but rather with cherry or small tomatoes which have either been fried a little, roasted or not cooked at all. The tomatoes need to maintain their shape but still impart some flavour to the pasta. I roasted the tomatoes first (they have a unique taste when roasted) but you can also just cook them in a bit of oil in a frying pan.

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

An unusual feature of this pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata recipe is that the fresh basil isn’t just chopped and sprinkled on the pasta but is made into basil crumbs by blending it a little with olive oil and breadcrumbs. This was the first time I had done this with the basil, but it won’t be the last!

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

As summer comes to an end fresh basil and summer tomatoes start to disappear from our shops and gardens. Before they do, give this recipe a try. Needless to say because this fusilli with tomatoes, basil and burrata has so few ingredients, the fresher and more flavourful they are, the better!

Buon Appetito!

(see the recipe on page 2)

fusilli pasta with tomatoes, basil & burrata cream

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

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  1. melve says

    March 12, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    Mouth-watering! Creamy pasta is my favorite, seeing this I'm so tempted. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 14, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Thanks so much Melve! This is a fab recipe and the fact that the 'cream' is made from burrata makes it extra special! I hope you'll try it out. All the best. Jacqui

      Reply
  2. Meymi-Pastry and Beyond says

    March 12, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    Sounds so delicious! I love mozzarella but I am sure I would love burrata too-the creamy flavour!

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 14, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks so much Meymi! I'm certain you will totally fall in love with burrata if you try it! It's magic. I love it on pizza too! Greetings from Italy. Jacqui

      Reply
  3. Renu says

    March 12, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    This looks so divine…your clicks are so tempting……..feeling like having it now…..I am drooling here

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 14, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Grazie di cuore as the Italians say Renu! Yes this is a divine dish. The burrata is what makes it really special. I hope you'll give it a try. Best wishes from Verona!

      Reply

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