Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Lisa Keys
This burrata sandwich on ciabatta bread is an award winner. With pesto, crispy bacon, apricot and cherry peppers and arugula what's not to love. It's a ciabatta sandwich like no other.
Yesterday was William's 29th birthday. Cheers to my boy. His birth was truly one of the best days of my life. I am missing him more than ever. So, I celebrate him in the best way I can. Whether I am gardening or cooking, I'm thankful for hobbies and his inspiring bright light.
Getting through tough times? It's all about the distraction. Cooking, baking and gardening do it for me. How do you do it?
I have been practicing my food photography and have already received some exciting feedback from recipe/food sponsors. It sure made me feel good about trying something new and difficult. These days' recipe contests require quite a bit of work.
I miss the old days when all I had to do was create a recipe and mail it in. Now, I am required to be a food stylist, photographer and writer. My poor husband. He knows he is not allowed to eat anything in the house until I have photographed it.
Probably one of the more wonderful things that have been on my plate lately is teaching two really smart and joyful young ladies how to cook. Sharing what I know about cooking and baking with the younger generation is quite fun. We are cooking our way around the globe and just finishing up Mexico with a Mango Tres Leches Cake. I think I was channeling my favorite teachers of Mexican cuisine Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken of Too Hot Tamales. I miss those cooking shows that really taught me and helped build my knowledge in the kitchen.
Are there any famous chefs that you have learned from and would like to meet? There are a few I would love to learn from, but if I could only pick one my heart still belongs to Mary Sue & Susan. They opened up a whole new world of Mexican cuisine and especially cheeses to me.
Speaking of cheese and back in my own kitchen I have been working on some new recipes for grilled cheese sandwiches. After a hard day in the garden cooking up something like a grilled cheese and dining out al fresco on the deck is an easy and delicious way to end the day.
Heading into the warmer weather we often enjoy a cool glass of rosé wine with a burrata sandwich. It's a rustic perfect pairing, but who says wine has to be fancy? Rosé matches quite well with just about any cheese and bread. It's not as elaborate as some famous celebrity chef dishes, but it works.
Cheers!
Here is one of my winning burrata sandwich from yesteryear. Perfect pairings include burrata and bacon with olives and the sweetness of fruit and peppery arugula. It's luscious and goes perfectly with a glass of Rosé.
Burrata Sandwich
Ingredients
- 3 slices thick cut bacon
- ¼ cup apricot jam
- 1 4-inch ciabatta roll, toasted
- 2 tablespoons Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro Homemade Style Basil Pesto
- ¼ cup arugula leaves
- 2 Mezzetta Sweet Cherry Peppers, seeded, diced
- 1 ounce burrata cheese (½ of a 2 ounce ball)
- 1 ripe apricot, sliced
- 4 pieces Mezzetta Sliced Greek Kalamata Olives, chopped
- 1- teaspoon balsamic vinegar syrup
Instructions
- Heat oven 400F. Line bottom of broiler pan with foil.
- Coat both sides of bacon with jam; place on broiler pan rack set over foil-lined bottom. Bake 30 minutes; transfer bacon to a plate.
- Spread bottom half of roll with pesto. Layer with arugula, cherry peppers, bacon, burrata, apricots and olives.
- Drizzle with balsamic.
- Cover with remaining bread slice.
rainbowwayfarms says
Happy Birthday to your Birthday Boy, William! I know every day you miss him, but April is an especially hard month. Thinking of you, Lisa. Love, love that you are teaching these girls! What a precious gift to them! Love this blog, your recipes, photos, and thoughts. Thank you for sharing them all with us!
Lisa says
thanks for hanging out with me this morning here on the blog. I am fortunate in so many ways and am grateful for all the kindness in my life. Those two young ladies make me smile and I love when they "sneak attack" me much like William did. Kids just know how to be fun.
Chelsea Madren says
Great story and recipe! One of these days I want to go to Vegas Uncorked! 🙂 Happy Sunday!
Lisa says
I'd love to navigate Vegas Uncork'd with you. Do you have a favorite chef?
Lou Matino says
Do you get the 'Create' channel? They still broadcast basic cooking shows including Lydia's kitchen which our dad enjoyed watching.
Lisa says
I have not heard of the "create" channel but I will see if I can find it. Do you have a favorite chef show?
Martine Fusco says
Just saw this post Lisa. Happy birthday to William in heaven. Sending you hugs and kisses❤️
Lisa says
thanks, Martine <3
Krista says
Sending you my wish for days filled with only wonderful memories of William❤
Lisa says
I do have wonderful memories as you do with Aidan. When I blew out that candle my wish is that we all are reunited once again in heaven.
Tag Sale Tastes says
Happy heavenly birthday to your beautiful William. ❤
Lisa says
thank you I guess we have to have faith or be "Willing" to believe that there are such happenings up in heaven <3