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Broccolini, Balsamic, Burrata, Amen

Like most cheese, all burrata had to do was exist for me to love it. On this melty toast, the burrata comes in at the end, but it’s most definitely the star. Thin strands of broccolini get all crispy in the oven, balsamic caramelizes on the edges, and a swipe of roasted red pepper paste sets up the toast for everything to pile on top. Plus, you can make the red pepper spread ahead of time to use throughout the week on sandwiches, grain bowls, pasta, and/or multiple versions of this toast (I vote for multiple versions of this toast).

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 minutes

  • Yield

    2 servings

Ingredients

½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, packed in oil, drained
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
8 oz. broccolini, bottom 2″ of stalks removed
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2 servings ciabatta bread, split open horizontally
4 oz. burrata cheese

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Equally stagger two racks in the oven and preheat it to 425°F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

    Step 2

    In a blender, combine ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, packed in oil, drained, 1 Tbsp. water, a pinch of kosher salt, and a few cracks of black pepper and blend until fully smooth. Set the roasted pepper paste aside.

    Step 3

    Slice 8 oz. broccolini, bottom 2″ of stalks removed, down the center, creating long, thin strips. I keep them in long strips for the look, but you could also cut them into bite-size pieces. Spread them out on one of the lined pans and toss with 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Season with ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes and salt and black pepper to taste and mix.

    Step 4

    Roast the broccolini on the top rack of the oven until it is bright and green, 8–10 minutes. Remove the broccolini from the oven, drizzle with 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar, and mix with tongs to coat.

    Step 5

    Set 2 servings ciabatta bread, split open horizontally, cut-side up on the second pan. Add the ciabatta to the top rack and move the broccoli to the lower rack. Bake both until the broccolini is crisped and slightly charred and the ciabatta is toasted, 8–9 minutes.

    Step 6

    Remove the broccolini and ciabatta from the oven. Tear 4 oz. burrata cheese into 2″ pieces directly over the broccolini and mix together on the pan so the heat from the pan kind of melts the burrata into the broccolini.

    Step 7

    Add a swipe of the roasted pepper paste to the bottom of each slice of ciabatta and pile the broccolini mix on top. Dot with more pepper paste if you like, season with a few cracks of black pepper, and eat immediately.