Broccoli with Burrata, Pine Nuts and Warm Anchovy Vinaigrette

Side

Ingredients

3/4 cup (about 80g) fresh breadcrumbs (preferably from sourdough bread)

1/3 cup (80ml) plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup (70g) pine nuts

1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley chopped

1 lb. (450g) Italian broccoli sprouting broccoli or broccolini, trimmed

4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter

pinch dried chili flakes

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1 lb. (450g) burrata or fresh buffalo mozzarella

1 medium shallot sliced

1 lemon juiced plus more for serving

salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375F/190C. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Toss the breadcrumbs with one tablespoon of olive oil. Spread them on a baking sheet, and toast 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden brown and crispy. Spread the pine nuts on another baking sheet, and toast them 4-5 minutes, until they're golden brown and smell nutty. Crush half the pine nuts in a mortar and combine them with the whole pine nuts, breadcrumbs and parsley in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Blanch the broccoli in the rapidly-boiling water for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Drain and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and the butter in a large sauté pan over low heat. Add the anchovy and chili and cook 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon as the anchovy melts into the sauce. Add the garlic and thyme and turn off the heat. The garlic will finish cooking in the hot oil. Pour out into a small bowl and season with a generous pinch of salt. Don't wash out the pan.

Cut the burrata or mozzarella into 6 slices, and then cut each slice in half. Place the sauté pan over high heat. Add the anchovy butter, shallots, and broccoli, and season with salt, pepper and a squeeze or two of lemon juice. Toss well to warm the broccoli and coat it with the anchovy butter. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, pepper and lemon juice as needed.

Arrange half the broccoli on a large platter in one layer. Tuck half the burrata slices among the broccoli and continue layering the remaining broccoli and burrata. Shower the pine nut breadcrumbs over the top. Serve with additional lemon slices for squeezing.

Notes

Okay, okay, what is burrata and where can you get some? This and this should answer the first question, but the second is a bit trickier. If you live in New York or L.A. you're in luck as The Food Section lists some local sources; if you live elsewhere, you may find you'll have to do like me and use buffalo mozzarella (FYI: if you're in the UK, Tesco offers a delicious and not-too-expensive buffalo mozzarella in the 'Finest' range). You should not, however, under any circumstances, use that horrible cheapo cow's milk mozzarella that tastes like wet tissue paper; rather leave the cheese out entirely instead. Or maybe try your luck at something else, like a soft, tangy goat's cheese? Whatever you do, just don't let your lack of burrata stand in the way of experiencing this broccoli bliss.

Source: Adapted from Sunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne Goin