Making an antipasto platter comes easily in our Type 1 Diabetic family, but for some it may not. I am here to help you create an award winning antipasto platter that will wow your friends, ensure you are invited for picnic wine tasting and most importantly keep your little tummy full of more than just fermented grapes.
Let’s focus on what you would need for a winning picnic platter since you’ll be out in public and want to show off your mad skills.
-
As mentioned in number one, a cutting board and multiple cheese knives are a must.
-
Now on to the fun stuff! Let’s start small and talk about the sides first. Sides? Aren’t they all sides Sarah? Ah, my antipasto students, you have so much to learn.
You need to look the part so a picnic basket, like this one we gifted to Hella Wine & Mo’ last Christmas, is a must. I replaced the tableware with glass plates, silverware and stemless wine glasses plus I added a cutting board and cheese knife to complete the basket. - Fruit: strawberries, grapes, etc.
- Cornichons
- Olives
- Crackers: I found these delicious Open Nature Wafer Thins in the deli section of Safeway
- Sliced sourdough bread
- Hummus
- Dried apricots
- Fig jam
- Marcona almonds or other nuts: Trader Joe’s has Truffle Marcona Almonds that are to die for!
-
It is still an ongoing debate amongst scholars whether the cheese or the meat of an antipasto platter is more important, but let’s not get involved in that and dig into the “main dish” of your platter.
- Brie
- Honey Bee, Goat’s Milk Gouda
- Cheddar
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Swiss Gruyere
- Salami Roll-Ups: Dazzle your guests with this easy and delicious recipe:
- Ingredients: salami, cream cheese, pepperchinis
- Spread a small amount of cream cheese on the salami and add pepperchinis
- Roll up and add toothpick to keep it closed
- Prosciutto
- Sopressata
- Genoa Nuggets
- Mortadella
5. Of course I highly recommend adding a few bottles of red wine to compliment your antipasto platter. The wine, just like your cheese and meat selection can be personalized depending on what you like and who you’re trying to impress.
- 2013 Zinfandel, Rockpile from Rock Wall
- 2012 Stone Patch Malbec from Darcie Kent
- 2013 Toboni Vineyard Pinot Noir from Gary Farrell
- 2013 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Concannon
All of this discussion has made me hungry, so I’m off to the store to create my very own antipasto platter!
Cheers to a fun Salami Day!
Sarah
About the Author: Sarah's philosophy is that every occasion; a wedding, job promotion, Friday night after a tough week or even sitting at a Pai Gow table in Las Vegas should be celebrated with a glass of bubbly in hand. Her reviews will be casual, just like her. Descriptions will be basic and typically consist of a great place to drink said wine.
