Winter citrus, like blood orange, honey, olive bread and burrata cheese make a vibrant, party-ready salad dish.
By Carlene Thomas
Meet my new winter recipe love affair. I’m calling it the panzanella salad of the frigid months. This winter salad pulls in the glorious winter citrus that abounds, specifically blood oranges, and pairs it with crunchy kalamata olive bread, burrata cheese, honey, cardamom and a generous sprinkle of basil.
This dish is perfect for a party. It’s like you brought a cheese platter and morphed it into the only thing better than a cheese platter. Which is clearly two cheese platters. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is outstanding if I do say so myself. You get creamy burrata paired with crunchy bread bites. You get sweet but acidic blood oranges and a more floral sweet honey. It works. It just so works. 
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOLhLDF3ey0[/fve]
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Winter Blood Orange and Burrata Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Vegetarian, Omnivore
Description
Sweet blood oranges, creamy burrata, and crunchy toasted bread make this salad a winter winner. Perfect for a party or a light supper.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 ball burrata
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1-2 blood oranges
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) basil
- 2 Kalamata Olive Rolls
Instructions
- Cube bread and toast until golden brown. Adjust toasting time based on serving temperature (longer for later serving, shorter for immediate serving).
- While the bread is toasting, heat olive oil and garlic over medium heat on the stove until the garlic is lightly browned and softened.
- Set the garlic-infused olive oil aside to cool.
- Cut blood oranges into rings.
- In a large bowl or platter, arrange a mix of blood orange rings and toasted bread.
- Place the burrata in the center of the arrangement.
- Drizzle with the cooled olive oil and garlic mixture, then drizzle with honey.
- Sprinkle with cardamom and sea salt.
- Top with fresh basil.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh, ripe blood oranges. If using less-than-perfect oranges, increase honey to taste.
- To prevent the burrata from becoming overly soft, add it to the salad just before serving.
- Substitute other soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella or ricotta if burrata is unavailable. Consider adjusting honey based on the cheese’s saltiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
When is blood orange season?
Blood oranges are in season from December through March, making them a natural choice for winter salads. Outside that window, navel oranges or cara cara oranges work as substitutes.
What is burrata and how does it differ from fresh mozzarella?
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese with an outer shell of mozzarella and a soft, creamy interior of stracciatella and cream. It is richer and more delicate than standard fresh mozzarella.
How do I toast bread cubes properly for this salad?
Cube the bread and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or toast in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat until golden and crunchy on all sides.
Can I substitute another cheese for burrata?
Fresh mozzarella or a good ricotta work as alternatives. Burrata is worth using here because its creamy center blends with the olive oil and honey to form a natural dressing.
