This antipasto platter recipe is a crowd-pleasing occasion appetizer! It is loaded with flavorful Italian elements like cheeses, olives, and contemporary veggies.
Let’s make an antipasto platter! This Italian appetizer unfold is one in every of my favourite issues to serve after I’m internet hosting household and mates.
Everybody (youngsters included!) loves making an attempt the completely different snacks and bites on the board—cheeses, veggies, olives, nuts, and extra. Typically, of us take pleasure in grazing a lot that there’s no have to serve a bigger meal.
As a number, I believe an antipasto platter is the best occasion meals. I can use a mixture of store-bought and home made elements, and I can prep all of the home made ones upfront. When visitors arrive, I simply assemble the platter and serve.
I’m sharing my greatest ideas for constructing an antipasto platter beneath, together with the elements I like to incorporate. Select just a few to make a board on your subsequent gathering. I promise it’ll be successful!
What’s antipasto?
Antipasto is the Italian phrase for an appetizer. It actually means “earlier than meal.”
In Italy, antipasti (the plural of antipasto) are small bites which might be served earlier than dinner with a glass of wine or a cocktail. These snacks are supposed to extend one’s urge for food earlier than the meal. Conventional Italian antipasti embody cured meats like prosciutto and salami, cheeses, contemporary fruit, olives, bruschetta, focaccia, and extra.
Within the US, we regularly use the time period “antipasto” to discuss with Italian-inspired dishes that embody cured meats, cheeses, and/or marinated greens. I can’t say that this antipasto platter is strictly what you’d be served in Italy. Nevertheless, it actually attracts inspiration from Italian antipasti. I hope you take pleasure in!
Antipasto Platter Substances
I really like to incorporate these elements on an antipasto platter:
- Italian cheeses – I all the time embody a tough cheese like Parmesan in addition to one or two softer ones, reminiscent of fontina or provolone cheese. These marinated mozzarella balls are additionally good for an antipasto platter!
- Marinated gigante beans – I marinate these creamy white beans in olive oil with sun-dried tomatoes, purple pepper flakes, and herbs. Hearty and flavorful, they’re an amazing addition to an antipasto platter. Make them a day forward for the perfect taste.
- Tangy, briny issues – I like to make use of a mixture of olives, pepperoncini, and canned or jarred artichoke hearts.
- Recent greens – Something seasonal is truthful recreation! A few of my favorites are cherry tomatoes, radicchio leaves, and contemporary or roasted purple peppers.
- Almonds – For crunch! Toast them to carry out their nutty taste.
- Honey or jam – These candy spreads pair properly with the wealthy cheeses. Any sort of jam works right here, however I particularly like tart cherry or fig.
- Crostini – These crisp bread slices are an amazing automobile for the cheeses and marinated beans. Crackers work too!
Observe that you just don’t want all the pieces talked about right here make a tasty appetizer board! For a easy—however nonetheless scrumptious—antipasto platter, select only one merchandise from every of those classes. Simplify extra by skipping the marinated beans.
The way to Construct an Antipasto Platter
To construct an antipasto platter, begin by putting some elements in particular person small bowls. When you like, you may put all the pieces in its personal bowl, however you don’t should. It is best to put something that’s sticky, moist, or oily in its personal dish, reminiscent of
Organize these dishes in your serving platter, after which fill within the gaps with objects that may go instantly on the board. These embody
- exhausting or semi-hard cheeses,
- contemporary greens,
- nuts,
- and crackers or crostini.
Tip: Slice some cheese earlier than you place it in your serving platter in order that visitors don’t should slice it themselves. As a substitute of slicing the Parmesan, break it into bite-sized items.
Elective, however extra-pretty: Garnish your board with contemporary herbs like parsley or basil earlier than serving.
Buon appetito!
Serving Strategies
An Italian antipasto platter pairs completely with an aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink.
Uncork a bottle of wine, or make a festive cocktail like an Aperol spritz.
Selfmade lemonade is a stunning non-alcoholic possibility. Tip: Add a splash of glowing water to make it fizzy!
Extra Appetizer Platters and Boards
When you love this antipasto platter, strive one in every of these platters or boards subsequent:
Need extra appetizer concepts? Take a look at these 50 Simple Appetizer Recipes!