Want to know a the trick to serving elegant party food with a minimal amount of time and effort? Set out an antipasto platter and watch it disappear.
Antipasto is typically a combination platter made up of olives, vegetables, peppers, cheese, meats, breads, crackers, etc. It’s commonly referred to as mezze, tapas or antipasti. Whatever you call it, antipasto platters are perfect for a romantic alfresco dinner, backyard barbeque, Friday night cocktails, a terrific tailgate party or even a fun weeknight dinner with a European flair.
“When it’s done right, an antipasto plate will bring a relaxed spirit and friendly, casual conversation to your meal,” it says in this Whole Foods antipasto guide. “No matter the occasion, serving antipasto is the perfect way to slow things down and savor great food at a dinner, picnic, cocktail party—you name it.”
The key to a great antipasto platter is to serve small bites of tasty food. Choose colorful ingredients that compliment each other and serve on a large, attractive platter. If the occasion is right, enjoy with wine.
To help take the guesswork out of what to include on your antipasto platter, follow our “antipasto platter matrix” :
Step One. Begin with bread and/or crackers
Choose 1-2 from the following
Water Crackers
Sliced Baguette
Crisp Flatbread
Pita Bread cut into triangles
Focaccia Bread
Toasted Garlic Rounds
Step Two. Arrange bread/crackers around the edge of the platter and add in your meats and/or cheeses.
Choose 2-3 from list below
Camembert cheese
Havarti cheese
Feta
Gouda
Goat Cheese
Smoked Provolone
Shaved Parmesean
Brie
Marinated Fresh Mozzarella
Gruyère
Thinly Sliced Genoa Salami
Shaved Prosciutto
Natural Pepperoni
Smoked Ham
Sardines
Smoked Salmon
Manchego cheese
Vegan Options:
Olive Tapenade
Hummus
Roasted Vegetables
Step Three: Add in fruits & vegetables
Choose 3-4 from list below
Marinated artichoke hearts
Roasted Red Peppers
Garlic-Stuffed Olives
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives and/or Feta Stuffed Olives
Fresh Cantaloupe
Red Grapes
Sliced Apples
Castelvetrano Olives
Dried Cranberries
Sweet Pickles
Dried and/or fresh figs
Whole Kalamata Olives
Jalepeño Stuffed Olives
Sliced Cucumbers
Step Four: Add the finishing touches
Choose 1-2 of the following
Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini
Capers
Roasted Almonds
Walnuts
Pine Nuts