Gather Magazine

Looking for the perfect dinner party canapé? Cheese, please!

Simple and sophisticated, fresh spring cheeses aren’t only for the end of a meal – they make a delicious appetizer or canapé too.

Burrata

These indulgent cream-filled balls of mozzarella can be placed in the centre of a light salad alongside some toasted focaccia to make an easy, luxurious sharing starter.

Burrata, cherry and radish salad

Arrange sliced radishes and fennel on a platter, add chopped celery and yellow pepper and top with cherry halves. Place the burrata on top and sprinkle with a few fennel fronds and torn basil leaves. Drizzle with a little lemon juice and olive oil. Super easy!

Mozzarella

Mild, refreshing and delicate, buffalo mozzarella’s milky flavour is superb with spring greens.

Smashed pea and mozzarella crostini

Roughly mash a bowlful of fresh peas with a little lemon juice and olive oil. Slice a baguette and lightly toast. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon some pea dip onto each and drape over a courgette ribbon. Top with torn mozzarella and a pea shoot or two. Delicious!