Everyone loves the casual appeal of help-yourself food – and what could be easier to prepare? A few minutes in the kitchen and you can put together a fantastic platter of food for a delicious starter or light lunch. Antipasto – literally meaning ‘before the meal’ - is on every Italian menu and it’s simply a top-quality selection of cured meats, salami, cheese, olives and marinated vegetables, served with a choice of breads. So why not take the easy route next time you’re planning a get-together? Antipasto makes a great choice when you’re inviting a few friends around for drinks – it really is the ideal solution for relaxed, fuss-free eating. Select the best Parmigiano Reggiano – buy a nice big piece and cut off rough chunks to enjoy the cheese at its best. Make sure the cheese is removed from the fridge about half an hour before you want to serve it – it needs to be enjoyed at cool room temperature to appreciate its full flavour.
Parma Ham Italian salami Cured Italian meats Char-grilled or roasted artichokes in olive oil Marinated mushrooms Sun-blush tomatoes Black and green olives Red and yellow roasted peppers Ciabatta bread or rolls Focaccia – flavoured with sun-dried tomatoes, olives or rosemary Grissini (Italian bread sticks) Extra virgin olive oil Fresh figs Melon Recipe courtesy of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium