Description
These Antipasto Skewers are a delightful and colorful appetizer featuring a variety of Italian flavors including green and black olives, Genoa salami, mozzarella cheese balls, fresh basil, grape tomatoes, and cheese tortellini. They are drizzled with a tangy and slightly sweet vinaigrette made from good vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, and extra-virgin olive oil. Perfect for parties, easy dinners, or alongside soups and grilled meats, these skewers are easy to prepare ahead and serve as elegant finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Skewers
- 8 large green olives
- 8 Genoa salami slices, halved
- 8 mini mozzarella cheese balls
- 8 large basil leaves
- 8 grape tomatoes
- 8 cheese tortellini, cooked and cooled
- 8 large black olives
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup good vinegar (Champagne, sherry, or balsamic)
- 2/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced (or 2 teaspoons minced shallots)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, then drain and cool completely. Halve the Genoa salami slices, finely mince the garlic or shallots, and chop the fresh herbs for the vinaigrette.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the good vinegar, salt, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and honey until combined. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the vinaigrette. Stir in the fresh ground pepper and chopped herbs then set aside.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread onto each skewer one large green olive, half a slice of Genoa salami, one mini mozzarella ball, a large basil leaf, one grape tomato, one cooked cheese tortellini, and one large black olive in that order. Repeat for all 8 skewers.
- Dress the skewers: Arrange the assembled skewers on a serving platter and drizzle the prepared vinaigrette evenly over them, ensuring each skewer is nicely coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or store: Serve the antipasto skewers immediately as finger food, or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Make these skewers a few hours ahead to let the flavors soak in; just keep refrigerated until serving.
- You can substitute different types of olives or cheese according to your taste preferences.
- If you don't have fresh herbs, dried herbs may be used but reduce the amount by half to avoid overpowering the vinaigrette.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the Genoa salami and add artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers instead.
- Use high quality extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar to enhance the flavor of the dressing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 104 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 658 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 35 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
