There's absolutely nothing better than a plate of burrata with fresh, late summer tomatoes, but this preparation is a close second in my book. What I love most is the contrast in flavors and textures - the sweetness of the creamy cheese playing against the bitterness of the tender broccoli rabe, each of them punctuated with flashes of pepper and lemon as their juices soften a crunchy, garlicky crouton. It's a little messy, best eaten with a knife and fork as a first course, but it's substantial enough to serve as a light main course, too. I love using plenty of young green garlic for this dish, but regular garlic works just fine. If you can't find broccoli rabe (or aren't a fan of it), you can substitute strips of Lacinato or Tuscan kale or even broccolini - and feel free to blanch your bitter greens first if you're particularly sensitive to bitter flavors. If you're lucky enough to get rabe with it's flowery blossoms, save them - they make a lovely garnish and add a nice peppery bite to the dish. Finally, while this is best with burrata, any super-fresh mozzarella will do. Make sure the cheese is at room temperature before serving - if the cheese is refrigerator-cold, you can put the wrapped cheese in a bowl of warm water for a bit so it gets really soft and its sweetness shines through. - lastnightsdinner <br />

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