Partyantipastoskewers Recipes

Steps:

• These are rough estimates on the amount of ingredients, because you can make as many skewers as you want, and you can skewer them any way you want, and lastly, you can use any combination of ingredients you want.
• Skewered -- There is no right or wrong to this. And you can use 3", 6", or 8" skewers. So just add what you want. I like to add 1-2 of each for the bigger skewers and maybe just 1 of each on the smaller ones. I just used the inexpensive wooden skewers found right in the grocery store.
• I might put a artichoke heart, olive, ravioli, then a tomato, salami, another ravioli, olive, salami and artichoke. But you get the idea. Just have fun with them.
• Marinade -- Mix the bottled dressing, garlic and capers and pour over the skewers in a glass (non reactive pan) 13x9" pan. Make sure you roll them around so they are covered well. Cover with saran wrap and marinate 2-24 hours.
• Note, depending on how many skewers you make you make need to make additional marinade.
• Finish -- Remove from the marinade and grate some fresh parmesan over the skewers and garnish with a little fresh chopped basil.

Steps:

• 1. Assemble the meats and cheeses on a large cutting board or flat platter to come to room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving.
• 2. Place cheese knives next to each kind of cheese, small forks for the meats, and a small bowl for anything like olive pits or used toothpicks.
• 3. If time permits, serve with at least one simple homemade item like: Honey Ricotta Pears, Wine-Poached Figs, or Warm Mediterranean Olives.
• 4. Place the bread and crackers in a basket on the side or directly on the board. Arrange the fruits and nuts on the board or in small decorative bowls. Serve with red and white wine.
• 1. Halve and core the pear, then cut into slices, leaving the stem-end intact and not cutting through to separate the slices. Squeeze the lemon juice over the cut side of the pear halves.
• 2. Season the ricotta with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then place in 2 mounds on a plate. Top the ricotta mounds with the sliced pear halves, gently fanning out the slices. Drizzle the pears with honey and sprinkle with the pine nuts.
• Trim and halve the figs, place in a saucepan with the wine, sugar, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine is reduced by half and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Serve on top of an assertive cheese, such as blue, Taleggio, or a triple cream, spread over the bread slices.
• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, vinegar, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Place the sliced mozzarella on a serving platter, sprinkle the slices with the olive oil and cracked pepper. Artfully arrange the salami, Peppadews, cucumber slices, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives and Bruschetta around the platter and decorate with stems of basil leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at an angle 1/2-inch-thick. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle one side with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Steps:

• Remove large outer leaves from the heads of lettuce. Arrange approximately 1/3 in a layer on a large serving platter. Sprinkle with 1/3 garlic powder, 1/3 crushed oregano and desired amount of Italian-style salad dressing. Layer with cooked ham and Provolone cheese.
• Layer Provolone cheese with another 1/3 of the lettuce leaves, 1/3 garlic powder, 1/3 crushed oregano, desired amount of Italian-style salad dressing, Genoa salami and Capacola sausage.
• Repeat layering with remaining lettuce, garlic powder, crushed oregano, Italian-style salad dressing, pepperoni sausage, prosciutto and roast beef.
• Layer with mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, black olives, pepperoncini and pimento-stuffed green olives. Sprinkle with more Italian-style salad dressing, as desired.
• Top with Gorgonzola cheese, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Steps:

• Mix dressing ingredients together and mix in a small bowl or jar.
• Cook tortellini as directed, drain and cool.
• Thread skewers with alternating ingredients, or as you prefer.
• Place the skewers in a large Tupperware container and pour the dressing over them and let them marinade overnight or at least for several hours, shaking them up often.
• If desired, drizzle a little vinegar before serving depending upon how much dressing was absorbed.