Introducing a new feature here on Eat to Blog! In the “Secret Ingredient,” we will examine a specific item and its uses. it may be something unusual, something seasonal, something essential, or something else entirely.

I’ve been watching the Sopranos in chronological order again, and recently I saw an episode where Artie treats the wives to a special appetizer of burrata on green beans. I was happily surprised, because only a week or so before I had tried burrata for the first time myself. The wives on the Sopranos complained that it tasted like mozzarella, but burrata is so much more than that.

Burrata starts with mozzarella, which is then mixed with fresh cream. This rich, creamy concoction is then tied up in a case of more mozzarella. I had heard about this Pugliese specialty for a while, but I was not sure where to get it. It’s an extremely perishable product, and so most places don’t carry it. I was shopping at the new Union Market when I came across burrata in their enormous cheese case, and decided to buy it despite the hefty $10 price.

When I opened the plastic bag, the first thing I noticed was the yogurt-like smell which came wafting out. I was a little worried that it had gone bad, despite the fact that the expiration date was still two days away. The mozzarella casing was slippery and wet, and a little bit of cream came dripping out. I ended up dropping the whole thing in a bowl so as not to lose control of the thing. I gently tore open the cheese and exposed the rich interior. I sat down with a piece of baguette and tucked in.

I needn’t have worried about the cheese. The texture was something I had never experienced; firm and liquid at the same time, slightly stringy from the mozzarella and luscious from the cream. There was indeed a faint yogurt tang to the cheese, which suited it perfectly. I can’t imagine cooking the cheese — it seems there are a few recipes which call for the burrata to be mixed with hot pasta to melt it, but raw seems to be the way to go. Why spoil a such a perfect thing?

Posted by Howard

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