Working from home (WFH) is not for everyone, yet so many have been thrown into this new work environment. It is estimated that over 67% of new WFH employees do not have a home office set up or any home office equipment. This new world presents a challenge and challenges can be stressful.  Stressful feelings lead to mindless snacking and poor food choices.

(Of course, cheese does not now, or will it ever fall into the poor choice food category.)

So on this last day of July 2020, I thought I would share a modified Gramma Amelia Italian Salad, featuring my friend’s Greek Olive Oil, The Furies. Jen’s story is impressive and well worth the read. The olive oil is organic and unfiltered. I just pop open the top and the can releases a purely euphoric scent. It is perfect for this summer salad.

Let’s make a salad!

What you need:

Start with a bed of greens, your choice. I like red and green butter lettuces.

• Tomatoes of your choice. Today I am using Wegmans Flavor Bombs, cherry tomatoes on the vine.
• Sliced red onion
• One large orange peeled, and the slices cut into bite-sized pieces
• Baby cucumbers, sliced thin
• Basil leaves torn into bite slice pieces
• The Furies Greek Olive Oil
• Cider Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper

Now comes the cheese.  You can use fresh mozzarella, but I prefer burrata. Slicing into burrata cheese in a salad is decadent. It releases that gooey flow into the salad’s ingredients and takes your salad skills up a notch.

The cheese is critical. It provides the protein base, and the consistency is needed but should be overwhelming. You could ‘matchstick slice’ some Provolone, but it should be mild if you go this route.

Add-in possibilities: Kalamata Olives, Capers, Artichoke Hearts, Prosciutto, and cooked shrimp.  Any of these are sure to please the palate and your guests!

What to do:

Simple. Build the salad. Whether on a platter, bowl, or dish, this salad is versatile and can feed you for your WFH lunch or as an appetizer for the family BBQ. (Keeping the social distancing, of course.) There is no wrong way to make this Italian salad.

Take your time and experiment with the combinations on each forkful:

• The burrata, orange, and red onion. Explosive flavor.
• The traditional taste is tomato, cheese, and basil. Perfecto.
• Orange, cucumber, and a little bit of the soft burrata insides…..oh!

I attempt to make a ‘nice’ lunch on Friday afternoons.  While I cannot pair this with a Sancerre or other dreamy wine, I can think of the clock chiming at 5 pm and Chip’s Friday Night Pizza that will undoubtedly involve a glass of wine.

PS  Are you looking for another burrata salad? Try Panzanella with Burrata.