Frozen Cherry Tomato Granita with Burrata & Basil Oil
A simple summer appetizer that celebrates peak tomato season. Frozen cherry tomatoes are pulsed into a light, granita-like texture and spooned over creamy burrata filling with bright basil oil and crispy toasted breadcrumbs.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 75kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces burrata filling stracciatella or 2 balls of burrata
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ½-1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small piece day-old rustic bread
- Flaky salt for finishing
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Toasted Breadcrumbs. Roughly tear the day-old bread into pieces and pulse in a food processor until coarse breadcrumbs form.
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp, about 4–5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and set aside.
- Make the Basil Oil. Blend the basil leaves with the olive oil until smooth and vibrant green. Add additional olive oil as needed until you reach a pourable consistency. Set aside.
- Make the Cherry Tomato Granita. Add the frozen cherry tomatoes to a food processor and pulse several times until they resemble a coarse granita or fluffy shaved ice. Be careful not to over-process—you want a light, icy texture rather than a purée.
- Assemble. Spread the burrata filling (or stracciatella) onto a serving platter. Spoon the frozen cherry tomato granita over the top, then drizzle generously with basil oil. Finish with the toasted breadcrumbs, flaky salt, and a few fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately with toasted crostini or grilled bread.
Notes
- Freeze Until Solid: For the best, grated texture, make sure the cherry tomatoes are completely frozen before pulsing.
- Pulse in Batches: Don't overcrowd the food processor. Work in batches if needed so the tomatoes grate evenly instead of clumping together.
- Don't Overprocess: Pulse just until the tomatoes resemble a fluffy grated ice.
- Assemble Just Before Serving: The frozen tomatoes will gradually thaw, so build the appetizer right before serving to keep the contrast of cold tomatoes, creamy cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 0.2mg