Impromptu Antipasto



I don't always cook 3 meals a day (though I know you think I do).

Usually on Friday nights in the warm weather, we like to have a light dinner of antipasto and snacks out on the patio with some wine. Friends usually stop in on their way to other places, or sometimes they never leave.........see last summer's antipasto party post.

I like to make my antipasto platters from whatever I have in the house, a sort of clean out the fridge at the end of the week meal. They always consist of meats and cheeses with olives, and maybe some chickpeas from a can thrown together with a vinaigrette and some leftover vegetables.
The only purchased item is a fresh loaf of bread or baguette.

This weekend's antipasto consisted of the last of the hard salami, some jarred artichokes with my leftover sundried tomato dressing drizzled on top, a wedge of Roccolo cheese & some amazing herbed light pink prosciutto from Emiglia Romagna that I had used in a chicken recipe during the week.



I had some good Italian olives, some almonds and dried dates thrown in a bowl.
I decorated the bowl with some beautiful chive flowers from our garden, and we were ready to go! Stop by and enjoy!



Comments

4 plates and still no invite.....ok - ok....the beauty of the burbs - ahhhhh ....
Ok, I'm jumping in the car right now. Plenty of time to get there! This is probably my favorite type of dining. With any luck, I'll be doing the same this evening!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
perfect no-fuss entertaining. is there any left? we can come tonight.
StaceyEsq said…
Those artichokes, drizzled with the sundried tomato dressing, are a thing of beauty! Gorgeous platter!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
StaceyEsq said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
kat said…
When the weather is warm sometimes this kind of meal is really all you want
Top quality munchies and some wine.
Heaven!
Cate O'Malley said…
My favorite type of dining. My neighbor invited me and the kids over for dinner last week, offering frozen pizza (she's very pregnant so not cooking). I accepted, and came over with a huge platter of stuff I pulled from the fridge. Some of the best dinners come from rummaging around what we already have.
You're making me jealous - I want a yard and a patio with a big antipasto platter!
Culinary Cory said…
I love making antipasto platters for leftover items found in my fridge. I think nibbling on the bits and bites outside make things taste so much better.
Dewi said…
Lots of goodness in that one plate Stacey! I'll stop by now, ha... I wish ...
LaDue & Crew said…
This would be such a relaxing dinner. Looks perfect Stace!
Maria said…
I would love to sit down to that plate!
Marta said…
Antipasti are really a great way to clean out the fridge, nibble healthfully and enjoy dinner al fresco! I love the platter you offer us here, it seems to have all the good stuff in it!
Thanks for sharing it :)
Bob said…
Herbed prosciutto? Why haven't I heard of this wonderful thing? Great look platter. :)
The Food Hunter said…
I'll be right over...it's only a 6 hour plane ride away. It looks so good.
Patsyk said…
If we didn't have baseball tonight, I'd be asking if we could stop by! :)
Foodiewife said…
I need to start thinking outside the box of my Mexican heritage! I usually go for guacamole and chips, and but I never think of antipasto!
For TGIF, I have to do this with my hubby. It's been a rough week. Love the bloomin' chives!
And, yes, I thought you cooked three meals a day. Me? I've been so busy it's been ravioli and Trader Joe's marinara or leftovers.
Karen said…
We love to have plates like this. Ours always include sardines, hot peppers and roasted red bells. Mmm!
Colleen said…
This looks wonderful! Wish I could have a nice cold glass of white wine with it too!
Sara said…
I love these kind of meals - simple, but so delicious! I should do this more often.
Maris said…
I could probably eat cheese & crackers for dinner 3 meals a week :) I wish I were joking!

Your platter looks nice - but it's your backyard I'm envious of. Love the photo of plates and backyard greenery.
Jamie said…
Yum! I love this kind of eating. So perfect. And you are right, now that the weather is beautiful I must start thinking like this more often.
I'll be right over (wish wish). What a great idea to have friends drop by.
Your antipasto platter is perfect. I could learn a lot from you and I'm bookmarking this. My husband would love this and I never quite know what to put on the platter.
Thanks to you - now I do.
Have a nice memorial day weekend.
Sam