Sydney Rea - Dec 6, 2017

How to Make an Antipasto Board

HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARDWho loves a good antipasto board? The flawlessly rolled prosciutto, the perfect wedge of cheese, the way every tiny bite of food harmoniously works together - it's a work of art, really. 

I frequently order these at restaurants, but when it comes to recreating this food masterpiece at home, I get a bit discouraged. 

That's why I had our chef put together 5 easy Antipasto Boards that you can create at home, enjoy!

What is an antipasto board?

Meaning "before the meal", Antipasto is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. The contents vary greatly according to regional cuisine, seasonality and personal preference.

Antipasti is used to stimulate the appetite before the main meal. Similar to French hors d'oeuvres or Spanish tapas, small tasty bites are arranged on a plate, board, or platter and enjoyed with a glass of wine. It's a vibrant, delicious way to set the stage for the main event that brings everyone together. 

So how do you make your own board that will impress your guests? Don't stress, it's easy!

Anyone can make an antipasto board...it's not a daunting task. It's all about personal preference, so get creative and make it your own. You can add just about anything you want on your board. There's no wrong way to put it together. 

Below I give you a general checklist of items typically found on an antipasto board with examples of each. Don't feel like you need to use all of the items below...choose your favorites or come up with ideas of your own!

How To Make An Antipasto Board

Start with your board. It can be a wooden board, a plate, a serving platter, or even a cutting board. Medium-sized is safe, you want to make sure you have room for all your small bites.

Now it's time to decorate...

Meats -  Pick 2-3 of your favorites and make sure they are thinly sliced or shaved. My choices? Prosciutto (it's salty and mild), Calabrese Salami (I need a spicy option), and Finocchiona Salami (because it's savory).

Cheeses -  Okay, this is my favorite part of an antipasto board. I try to put out 2 hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino or Asiago and 1 soft cheese like Goat, Gorgonzola or Mozzarella.

Bread -  Not necessary, but nice to have. Stick to sliced crusty bread or crackers. You can toast your slices to make them into crostini, that way they last longer on the board. Drizzle some high quality olive oil onto your bread slices or crostini for some added flavor and health benefits!

Fruit -  I like to use both fresh and dried fruits. Some fresh ideas: cubed melon, grapes, sliced green apple, figs. Some dried: apricots, dates or cranberries. I like to choose things in season.

Nuts - Throw some assorted mixed nuts onto the board. They lend a nice, salty crunch and pair perfectly with the cheese. Try almonds, walnuts, or pistachios...those are a few of my favorites.

Marinated Munchies -  I never forget these. Try olives, roasted red peppers, or marinated artichokes. If you do put out olives, don't forget a little tray for the pits!

A Sweet Spread - This can be used to accompany the bread and cheese. Fruity jams or local honey are a great touch. 

Classic Antipasto

HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARD


Vegetarian Antipasto

HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARD


Antioxidant Antipasto

HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARD


Protein Packed Antipasto
 HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARD


Date Night Antipast0

HOW TO MAKE AN ANTIPASTO BOARD

I hope this will encourage you to create a beautiful and delicious antipasto board of your own. If you have any questions or tips of your own, please let me know in the comments below! 

 

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