Aug 22, 2023

Toasted Baguette Served with Burrata, Serrano Ham, and Parsley Mint Pesto

The moment I saw boxes of burrata cheese sold at the grocery store, I immediately knew what I'm going to make with it. Despite its hefty price, "oh well" I thought, a little home-cooking indulgence once a while shouldn't hurt much.


By the way, I'm pairing this recipe with parsley and mint pesto that doest not contain any nuts. However, if you'd like, throwing a spoonful of pine nuts to the food processor sounds good too.  


Toasted baguette served with burrata, Serrano ham, and parsley mint pesto - 


Toasted baguette served with Burrata, Serrano ham, and parsley mint pesto


Ingredients?

  • 1 ball/125 grams solids burrata cheese
  • 100 grams Serrano ham
  • 1 baguette
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Some olive oil
  • Some balsamic vinegar (optional)

Parsley and mint pesto:

  • 50 grams flat leaf parsley
  • 10 grams mint leaves
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 small chunk aged Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Few grinds black pepper


How?

Use the leafy part only for the pesto. Perhaps you can finely chop the stems and mix in other dishes later. As for mint, maybe add the unused section to icy cold water for a refreshing touch.


Add the parsley leaves and mint leaves to the food processor. Also add 1 peeled garlic clove and a small chunk of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. The cheese is about the size of a thumbnail, no need to use too much of it. 


Also pour in 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil to the food processor. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and few grinds of black pepper. Blend and stop, scrape down any bits sticking onto the side. Continue to blend till evenly mixed. Scoop out for later use.


Parsley and mint pesto

Slice the baguette and drizzle some olive oil over on one side. 


Baguette slices drizzled with olive oil

Use a grill pan and heat up the baguette slices, oiled side down. See if you can get some nice grill marks on it.


Once ready, use a peeled and halved garlic, rub that on the toasted side while the baguette is still hot. 


Rubbing garlic on toasted baguette slices

Bring out a serving plate, lay the Serrano ham on 2/3 side of the plate and grilled baguette slices on the other 1/3 side.


Laying out toasted baguette and Serrano ham

Transfer drained burrata on top of the ham and drizzle parsley mint pesto all over the cheese and Serrano ham. Also drizzle some balsamic vinegar if using.


Toasted baguette served with burrata, Serrano ham, and parsley mint pesto

Absolutely loving that burrata cheese, silky and milky at the same time, works so well with salty Serrano ham and refreshing pesto sauce. 


Toasted baguette served with burrata, Serrano ham, and parsley mint pesto

The burrata was gone in no time. I should have bought two boxes instead.


Toasted baguette served with burrata, Serrano ham, and parsley mint pesto

After enjoying the toasted baguette with all these other things I've prepped for, there were some unused pesto sauce afterwards. I simply mixed that with pasta sauce for the spaghetti. Even if you are using tomato-based pasta sauce, adding a bit of pesto won't hurt. In fact, it'll boost up the flavors even more.  


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