This fabulous recipe comes from Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key in Key West – a romantic beachfront hideaway where you can enjoy outstanding island cuisine like this wonderful Burrata Cheese dish.
Ingredients for the Balsamic Strawberry Sauce
4 Oz Balsamic Vinegar
½ Pint Fresh Strawberries
2 Tbl Agave
2 Tbl Oz Lemon Olive Oil
2 Tbl Lemon Juice
Preparation for the Sauce
Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a sauce pot and reduce to half size in volume. Puree in a blender and pass puree through a fine mesh strainer. When chilled to room temperature whisk in olive oil and refrigerate.
Ingredients for the Quinoa
4 Oz Red Quinoa
6 Oz Water
2 Cups Canola Oil
Kosher Salt, to taste
Preparation for the Quinoa
Combine red quinoa and water and bring to a boil. Simmer 3 minutes cover and remove from heat to finish. Remove cooked quinoa from pan onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet pan. Let cool till you can handle and then break apart so it is singular grain – no clumps. Place in lowest setting of your oven and continue to rub between your hands to remove clumps. When finished, it should be slightly crunchy and resemble singular grains of sand. In a medium large sauce pot heat canola oil to 350º. Pour dried red quinoa into oil and cook till it has a puffed rice texture (1-2 minutes). Strain off oil place quinoa on paper towels to remove excess oil and season to taste
Main Dish Ingredients:
4 2oz Pieces of Burrata Cheese
20 Spears Pencil Asparagus
1 Pint Fresh Strawberries, washed and quartered
16 Oz Balsamic Strawberry Sauce
4 Tbl Toasted Red Quinoa
2 Tbl Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbl Thin Sliced Mint
1 Tbl Thin Sliced Basil Leaf
Salt & Pepper to taste
Preparation for the Burrata
Season and grill asparagus, set aside. Brush plate with 3 oz balsamic strawberry sauce. Arrange asparagus on top of balsamic strawberry sauce. With a clean paper towel blot dry burrata cheese and break open to form a cavity. Place burrata on top of asparagus. Toss strawberries with extra virgin olive oil, basil, mint and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place strawberries on top of burrata some will spill out of burrata. Drizzle 1 oz of balsamic strawberry sauce over strawberries and burrata. Sprinkle one level tablespoon of toasted red quinoa over the top. Finish with a few slivers of the mint and basil leaf.
You can board the free boat launch to Sunset Key on the dock behind The Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina at 245 Front St. Reservations a must! 305-292-5300; sunsetkeycottages.com.
