Category
Difficulty	★☆☆☆☆
Preparation Time	10 minutes
Serves	2–4
Best Enjoyed	Long Summer Lunches
Riviera Feeling	★★★★★

 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Ready in just 10 minutes
• No cooking required
• Beautiful enough for entertaining
• Sweet, savoury and creamy in every bite
• Perfect as a starter, light lunch or part of an aperitivo spread

Ingredients

• 1 large burrata (approximately 250 g)
• 2 ripe peaches
• 6–8 slices Prosciutto di Parma
• 2 tbsp runny honey
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• A handful of fresh basil leaves
• Flaky sea salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Optional:

• Toasted pistachios
• A few fresh figs when in season
• Balsamic glaze (use sparingly)

 

Equipment

• Large serving platter
• Small sharp knife
• Serving spoon and fork

 

Method

1. Prepare the peaches

Wash the peaches and cut them into thin wedges. There's no need to peel them—the skin adds beautiful colour and texture.

2. Arrange the burrata

Place the burrata in the centre of a large serving platter.

Allow it to come to room temperature for around 20 minutes before serving. This makes the inside deliciously soft and creamy.

3. Add the peaches and prosciutto

Arrange the peach slices and Prosciutto di Parma around the burrata, creating a relaxed, natural presentation rather than anything too perfect.

The charm of Mediterranean entertaining often lies in its effortless appearance.

4. Finish the dish

Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil, followed by the honey.

Scatter over fresh basil leaves before seasoning with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

If using pistachios, sprinkle them over just before serving for extra crunch.

 

Serving Suggestions

Serve immediately with:

• Warm focaccia
• Fresh sourdough
• Grissini
• Marinated olives
• Roasted almonds

This dish is at its best when everyone tears bread, shares plates and helps themselves.

 

Wine Pairing

The delicate creaminess of burrata and the sweetness of ripe peaches pair beautifully with crisp, refreshing wines.

Our favourites include:

• Provence Rosé
• Vermentino
• Pinot Grigio
• Gavi
• Dry Prosecco

Serve everything well chilled and let the ingredients do the talking.

 

Why This Combination Works

Italian cooking has always celebrated contrast.

Creamy and crisp.

Sweet and savoury.

Rich and refreshing.

Here, the luxurious texture of burrata is balanced by juicy peaches, while the saltiness of Prosciutto di Parma brings depth to every bite.

A drizzle of honey ties everything together without overwhelming the freshness of the dish.

It's a reminder that exceptional cooking rarely requires dozens of ingredients—only a few excellent ones.

 

Riviera Hosting Tip

Rather than plating individual portions, place this dish in the middle of the table and encourage guests to serve themselves.

Add a basket of warm bread, a bottle of chilled rosé and a few small bowls of olives, and you've recreated one of the Mediterranean's favourite ways to eat: slowly, generously and together.

 

The Riviera Mood

Imagine arriving at a small family-run hotel on the Ligurian coast.

The shutters are open.

The scent of basil and citrus drifts in from the garden.

Lunch is served beneath a pergola covered in climbing vines.

The peaches were bought from the local market that morning.

The wine is cold.

Nobody checks the time.

This is the beauty of Italian summer cooking.

 

Set the Scene

For an effortlessly elegant table, style with:

• White linen tablecloth
• Handmade ceramic serving platter
• Olive wood serving boards
• Linen napkins
• Fresh basil plants
• Bowls of lemons and peaches
• Simple white candles
• Soft Italian jazz or acoustic music

Keep everything relaxed and slightly imperfect.

That's where the charm lies.

 

Did You Know?

Despite its popularity around the world, burrata is a relatively young Italian cheese.

It was first created in the early 20th century in Puglia, southern Italy, as a way of using leftover mozzarella and fresh cream. Today, it's one of Italy's most celebrated cheeses and a staple of summer dining across the country's coastline.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is burrata?

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella filled with creamy stracciatella and fresh cream. It has a delicate outer shell and a rich, soft centre.

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Should burrata be served cold?

For the best flavour and texture, remove it from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving. This allows the creamy centre to soften naturally.

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Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can slice the peaches and arrange the ingredients shortly before serving, but wait until the last moment to drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil, honey and seasoning.

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Can I use nectarines instead of peaches?

Absolutely.

Nectarines work beautifully and provide a slightly firmer texture while maintaining the same sweet, summery flavour.

 

Explore More Riviera Recipes

Complete your Mediterranean table with:

• The Perfect Limoncello Spritz
• The Perfect Aperol Spritz
• The Perfect Hugo Spritz
• Classic Burrata Caprese
• The Ultimate Riviera Aperitivo Board

Or continue your journey with our travel guides to the Amalfi Coast and the French Riviera, where long lunches like this are simply part of everyday life.

 

The Club Riviera Ritual

Choose ingredients that are in season, or are available to you.

Open a bottle of wine before you begin cooking.

Serve everything in the middle of the table.

Stay for dessert, even if dessert is simply fresh peaches, a scoop of vanilla gelato and coffee.

Because the most beautiful meals aren't about impressing anyone.

They're about creating moments you'll wish lasted just a little longer.