Antipasto in Italian literally means “before the meal” but sometimes I like to enjoy it AS the meal. A fun plate off food with lots of flavors and varity. You can make it with anything you have left over and pair it with some cheese and bread. I used to love when my mom made plates that we could eat with our hands: little pieces of rolled up ham and cream cheese cut into slices and apple chunks with peanut butter. It was great. I liked to make stuff from my Strawberry Shortcake Cookbook that had finger foods for kids. I loved that book.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookbook by Michael J. Smollin, copyright 1980, publisher Random House NY
Well I still like to eat with my hands and pick at my food. . It is more like ‘grazing” than eating dinner but it fills you up just the same. Last week Ron had a busy day and after work I was not in the mood to cook, plus the kitchen was a mess so to cook meant I had to clean first and that was NOT gonna happen. So I came up with a quick solution and used some of the stuff that was in the fridge and pantry and had one KICK ASS Antipasto platter for dinner. I ran to the store for some fresh fruit and cheeses. And this is what I came up with.
Sliced hard salami
marinated mushrooms and black olives
Two kinds on cheese. I went with a Brie and Goat Cheese. I like the Chavrie and added a little pepper, oil, and oregano.
I love this bread from Stop and Shop it is a garlic ciabatta with big chunks of roasted garlic.
This was SOOOO Good.
I threw in some roasted red peppers and grapes and a few pieces of chocolate to finish it off.
We enjoyed it with a bottle of wine and a movie. This makes an awesome platter for a party or a great no cook weeknight eat with your hands type meal. No Cooking = No Cleaning!
