Antipasti

When we are planning a special Italian meal for friends, we often start with Antipasti. Antipasto means "before the meal" and more than one are Antipasti.

To scan the Recipes in this Section, click here and select "Antipasti" from the Search Category drop down list.

It's always a challenge choosing which ones to serve but it is an opportunity to try new things and the Italians have created plenty of them.  We usually add a couple that we've never tried before, a couple that we don't have often, and a few old standbys.  Six to eight items would be typical and guests really enjoy "foraging" through their plate. 

My favourite Antipasto is the Marinated Pepper Salad.  If you spread some goat cheese on a baguette slice, top with some of this salad, and sprinkle with julienned basil and pepper, you'll have one fantastic picnic treat! 

The other marinated vegetables are worth their '10', but the Zesty Carrot Sticks are a big surprise to anyone who hasn't had them.  They look ordinary but they're not! 

Wines to serve with this course really depend on which dishes you choose:  more seafood and you might choose a Pinot Grigio or Soave; more cheeses and cold cuts, you would lean to a Sangiovese or even a Barolo.