MOZZA "CAPRESE"

Mozza

Provided by Nancy Silverton

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pound burrata, or mozzarella di bufala
Flaky sea salt, preferred brand Maldon
Pesto, recipe follows
Cherry tomatoes, slow-roasted, recipe follows
6 Basil leaves, for garnish
Finishing-quality extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted in 325 degrees F for 10 minutes
1 clove garlic, grated
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, preferably Maldon, plus more to taste
4 cups basil, loosely packed leaves
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated
1 pound cherry tomatoes, preferably Sun Sugar, on the vine
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

Assemble salad: Cut the burrata into equal segments and place the segments cut side up on each of six plates. Spoon 1 tablespoon of pesto over each portion of cheese. Use the scissors to cut the tomato vines as necessary, dividing the tomatoes into six clusters, and place one cluster atop each serving of cheese. Garnish each plate with fresh basil and sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
Add the pine nuts, grated garlic, and salt to a mortar; gently pound with pestle until a course paste forms. Chop the basil leaves, add them to the mortar, and continue to pound and grind until the basil is integrated with the pine nut mixture. Stir in the lemon zest and slowly drizzle in the olive oil while gently pounding the mixture. Add the lemon juice and cheese. Taste for seasoning and add more salt of lemon juice if desire.
Tomatoes: Adjust the oven rack to the centre position and preheat the oven to 300 F. Keeping the tomatoes attached to the vine, gently place them on a wire rack fitted in a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil on the tomatoes, then sprinkle with salt. Roast until the skins are shriveled but the tomatoes are still plump, about 1½ hours. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.