Cheese "Burrata" is relatively young. It began to be cooked only some hundred years ago, which is quite a bit for such a rich national cuisine as Italian. For the first time this cheese was prepared in the city of Andria, located on the “heel” of the peninsula, “boot”. From there, it quickly spread first throughout the country, and then throughout the world.
Cheese bag with cheese
In appearance, Italian cheese "Burrata" is very unusual. Firstly, it has a slightly greenish tint. Secondly, its head is framed in the shape of a pouch. This is really a kind of bag inside which ... also cheese! This unusual feature is the main feature of the variety.
Cooking features
In order to cook Burrata cheese, not only cow's milk is used, but also buffalo. A base is prepared from it, curdling and filtering the syrup. Salt is added to the curd mass and a very light cheese dough is prepared from it. And they fill the "bags" with pieces of mozzarella boiled in thick cream. Subsequently, they are wrapped in large leaves of a banana or goldflower, in which the ripening process takes place. Cheese “Burrata” owes its leaves a delicate green hue.
Taste
Gourmets say Burrata cheese tastes like other moist homemade cheeses. It has a pronounced creamy aroma. Experts classify it as a fibrous brine cheese. It is recommended to eat even for children recovering sick athletes.
Benefit
A large number of vitamins, minerals and amino acids makes this product very useful. Choline contained in cheese normalizes cholesterol levels.
And phosphorus and calcium have a beneficial effect on the regeneration and restoration of bone and cartilage. Burrata cheese is rich in B vitamins, which strengthen the whole body, and especially the nervous system.
But no wonder they say that everything is good in moderation. Cheese "Burrata", whose caloric content reaches an average of 330 kcal, is not suitable for dietary nutrition. With extreme caution, it should be eaten by those who suffer from problems with the digestion of dairy and sour-milk products.
Cooking role
The best chefs from all over the world use Burrata cheese to create their masterpieces. But do not think that some inconceivable dishes are prepared from this product. Good chefs say that it is best to use this cheese in the simplest snacks, combining it with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, olive oil and tender boiled eggs. Otherwise, there is a considerable risk of ruining the wonderful delicate taste of cheese, drowning it with more saturated tastes of other ingredients.
Cheese "Burrata" looks very impressive, it is usually served by laying bags on beautiful plates. It is customary to eat it, cutting off small pieces with a knife so that both the filling and the cheese "dough" appear on the fork.
Where can I buy?
Italians are convinced that you can eat such cheese only a day or two after it ripens. It is not accepted to store it for a long time.
But cheese is exported to other countries. In order to keep it in transit, it is filled with brine and packaged in vacuum. Some growers even retain leaves. Such cheese is sold in stores specializing in high-end products.
The weight of one head rarely exceeds 500 g. Cheese "Burrata", whose price is about $ 10 for one average head, can not be called an affordable product for the daily menu. But on the festive table, he can make a splash.
Homemade recipes with Burrata cheese
This cheese can be added to salads. For example, it is great for "Greek." You can serve it as a snack. Use wide flat plates for serving. Cut the head of cheese in half, pour olive oil, sprinkle with balsamic vinegar. Tamp with a spoon the tender center and put there the tomatoes sliced in cups. Season with your favorite spices, herbs. Serve fresh homemade bread, toast or pita bread with this tender cheese .
You can make toast with this tender cheese. Its tender creamy center is easily kneading with a fork. It can be laid on top of toasted bread and sprinkled with basil leaves.
Noteworthy is the pasta sauce. It is prepared from stewed vegetables: zucchini, green peas, onions. Pour pasta with sauce and lay on top slices of Burrata cheese.