Spicy Vodka Mascarpone Pasta

Trends are trends for a reason

Spicy Vodka Mascarpone Pasta

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Food trends are like summer thunderstorms: they arrive suddenly, with great intensity, and before you know it they are gone. They sweep through our kitchens and social media feeds with such fervor that it’s easy to feel caught in a whirlwind of must try recipes and can’t-miss ingredients.

Just as quickly as they capture our imaginations and appetites, they vanish, leaving us to wonder what happened to the fleeting craze that had us all enthralled.

The runny egg had its moment, chili crisp was on everything for what felt like an eternity, and I've seen more garlic confit and hot honey than I ever thought possible. Don’t get me wrong, trends are fun, but sometimes they can feel like an overwhelming pop culture deluge, making even the best things seem overdone.

Speaking of that, it seems like everything lately is getting a top hat of burrata. I get it - burrata makes pretty much anything you put it on better. It’s no surprise it has become the darling of our social media feeds as of late.

So, you might detect a hint of irony in this pasta dish being topped with a luxurious mound of it. You might also be thinking, that vodka pasta doesn’t need any embellishment at all— that it’s perfectly capable of standing all on its own. You would be right on both accounts.

Afterall, the magic of pasta alla vodka lies in its perfect balance: the smoothness of the cream, the tangy sweetness of tomatoes, and the vodka that adds depth of flavor and helps to emulsify it all together. It’s a comforting classic that doesn’t scream for additional adornments. But there’s also something to be said for the philosophy of more is more…

Hear me out: something cool and creamy to offset the spice of the chilis and the tang of the tomatoes. Burrata, with its luscious shawl of mozzarella and creamy ricotta center, is the perfect choice. As the pasta gently warms the burrata, it begins to melt, the creamy center spilling out and meandering through the dish like a silky river, melding with the velvety vodka sauce.

Each forkful becomes a decadent experience, a harmonious blend of rich, creamy burrata and the robust flavors of the pasta. The burrata doesn’t just sit atop the pasta as an afterthought; it integrates, transforms, and elevates the dish into something extraordinary.

Perhaps trends aren’t so bad after all.