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Toasted Bread with Burrata and Rocket

This elegant vegetarian starter celebrates the simple, high-quality ingredients found in traditional Italian cooking. Crisp, garlic-rubbed ciabatta or sourdough provides the perfect crunchy base for creamy burrata, a luxurious cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The richness of the cheese is beautifully balanced by the peppery bite of fresh baby rocket and the bright, citrusy notes of finely grated lemon zest.

Ideal for a light lunch or a sophisticated dinner party appetiser, these toasted bread bites are incredibly easy to assemble. The contrast between the warm, toasted bread and the cool, velvety centre of the burrata creates a truly satisfying combination of textures. Serve these as part of a summer sharing platter or as a fresh first course alongside a chilled glass of white wine.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Toasted Bread with Burrata and Rocket

  • 6 3x2-inch pieces friselle or crusty ciabatta bread, halved horizontally

  • 5 tablespoons (about) extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, halved

  • 30g ball burrata cheese,* cut into 12 wedges

  • 1 1/2 cups (about) baby rocket

  • Finely grated peel from 1 lemon

Finely grated peel from 1 lemon Preheat oven to 204°C. Fill small bowl with water. Place bread halves, cut side up, on baking sheet; brush bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toast bread in oven until crisp and light golden around edges, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Lightly brush each bread half with water (do not soak). Rub cut sides of bread halves with cut sides of garlic halves.

Place 2 bread halves, cut side up, on each of 6 plates. Drizzle each bread half lightly with olive oil. Top each half with 1 burrata wedge; sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Toss rocket with 1 tablespoon olive oil in small bowl; sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mound rocket salad atop burrata on each bread half; sprinkle each with grated lemon peel and serve.

A soft, fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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