Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette
Need a quick and fresh appetizer for this weekend? Why not put your antipasto platter on a stick! This antipasto skewer recipe is great for cocktail parties and weekend barbeques because they are so easy to handle.
We are party people. Be it an intimate dinner or a big holiday bash, making merry with food and friends is part of our family culture. Even the kids get involved when we have an event on the horizon.
My little girl has been known to start planning our annual Halloween party and birthday parties months in advance. When the rest of us sit down to discuss the plans, she informs us that the food, guest list and activities are already determined. Although I love her help, when I plan a gathering, the menu is always in the forefront of my mind.
This is what I’m looking for in a Party Menu:
- Variety
- Visual appeal
- Foods that can sit out and taste good at room temperature
- Make-aheads to spread out the work load
- Easy to prepare, but make an impact on the guests
- FRESH SEASONAL INGREDIENTS
Today’s dish is an appetizer that covers all my party menu requirements: Visually appealing, can be made ahead easily and includes FRESH tomatoes and basil straight from my garden! I simply put my antipasto platter on small wooden skewers to make them easy to carry, then dressed them with a zesty herb vinaigrette for easy-peasy caprese skewers.
The beauty of this skewer recipe is that you can put all your favorites from an antipasto platter right on the little sticks and pop them in the fridge a couple days in advance. Although I like to be able to make some dishes ahead, it’s extremely important to me to offer fresh ingredients to my guests.
Having a Fresh Kitchen, to me, means using seasonal ingredients that are grown close to home.
For the last couple of years I have been growing veggies in/amongst my flower beds. I figured, even if I kill them all, my flowers would cover the evidence. Fortunately, I have had some success with tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, and all sorts of herbs.
The produce I can’t grown on my own, I pick up at our local farmers’ market on Saturday mornings. It’s very satisfying to get to know the people who grow your food and learn what measures they take to grow the best fruits and vegetables possible.
Storing your fresh ingredients properly is also very important. I happen to have GE appliances in my kitchen and have noticed that my refrigerator keeps my produce fresh and crisp for a long time–much longer than my old fridge.
However, I have recently developed a bad case of “Fridge Envy.” Have you seen the new French Door Refrigerators from GE?
They have:
- A duel evaporator system for longer food life
- An ice-maker located in the door to make more space in the freezer
- A huge electronic temperature deli pan
- Multiple freezer drawer options
- LED lights for better visibility
- The most advanced water and ice filtration system
- And an auto water dispenser that will fill a cooking pot
I want one.
You’ve got to take a look at the “Freshpedition” Webisodes that show just how amazing GE refrigerators are at keeping food fresh!
Yield: 45 skewers
Prep Time: 20 minutes
"Antipasto Platter" Skewer Recipe with Herb Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
For the Herb Vinaigrette:
2/3 cup olive oil
3 Tb. red wine vinegar
2 Tb. balsamic vinegar
1 Tb. honey
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tb. fresh chopped rosemary
1 Tb. fresh chopped thyme
1 Tb. fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp. dried oregano
For the Caprese Skewer Recipe:
8 oz. container small fresh mozzarella balls
8 oz. hard salami, up into bite-size chunks
1 can small artichoke hearts, halved
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup pitted olives, any variety
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 package 4-6 inch skewers
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk to together all the ingredients for the vinaigrette. Set aside.
Slide 3 or 4 antipasto platter items on each skewer. They don't all have to be the same.
If making a day or two ahead, leave the basil leaves off and pour the vinaigrette over the skewers to marinate.
If making the day of the party, place the basil leaves on the skewers. And serve the vinaigrette on the side.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by GE. All opinions are my own.
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42 Responses to “Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette”
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The Contest Ended August 22nd. Too Bad =( I got Excited there for a Quick Minute!!
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Sommer — August 27th, 2012 @ 6:35 am
Oh dear! That is not supposed to be the case. Let me check into it!
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karen — August 27th, 2012 @ 7:11 am
yes just found that out myself. oh well. Those apps look really great and easy!
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A party planner in the making! These should definitely be part of a planned picnic.
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I adore everything about this, especially the herb vinaigrette! My boyfriend’s sister is getting married on Labor Day and leading up to it are going to be all sorts of activities and dinners…I’m going to suggest we do these for an appetizer one night! Oh the artichoke hearts look great!!
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The skewers are delicious! I really like that you added artichoke hearts… love those things!
I enjoy planning parties, and the only thing that I can think about is the food that I will be serving. Somewhere in the middle of that I find time to set up the decor.
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OMG, I love this. Hard.
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Skewers are a great appetizer option! Love these!
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Love love love!!!
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The ultimate party dish. Love everything about it.
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I just love appetizers like this they look delicious!!!
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Beautiful appetizer and that is one amazing refrigerator I would love in my kitchen!
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What a fun appetizer, I love this idea!
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Beautiful post!
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love a good antipasto appetizer! I totally need a new fridge. I will have to check this one out!
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Ohh, I love these, there so creative!!
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These skewers could definitely stand as a whole meal for me. I love everything about these Sommer!
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these are so fun and pretty
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Beautiful and healthy!
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Love anything you can make ahead!
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I thought you were going to tell us you were the proud owner of the new GE fridge! They are so wonderful and I absolutely hate my hand-me-down refrigerator! Love the skewers, they do look fresh and delicious.
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These look great! I love all the herbs jammed into that vinaigrette.
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I was already tempted by the picture. ^.^ Looks just wonderful with the tomato and mozarella and of course the herb dressing…. *musing*
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My favorite things all on a stick! These skewers will make great party food… bookmarking
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I could eat my weight in this deliciousness.
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oh I love these! especially the salty salami bits, yum!
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Such a fun idea for a summer potluck! And I have all those herbs growing in my garden too–perfect!
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I completely agree! Fresh, seasonal ingredients are key! This looks like the perfect addition to any summer table. Thank you for sharing!
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I love nibbling on appetizers like this. They’re great for fancy dinners or casual get togethers. I love the vinaigrette. Can’t wait to try this recipe for my next dinner with the family.
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love these tasty bites!! great vinaigrette!
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This looks so terrific. I love the presentation. Just wonderful.
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I love that these are SO easy, elegant and perfect for an end of summer party! Great recipe, Sommer. I’ve been wanting to try something just like this for a while!
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I would love someday to have a garden – maybe our next move…. Love these skewers – perfect for entertaining!
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Fresh and easy, that’s what I like!
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Oh my goodness, girl… this is my kind of platter of goodness!
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All my favorite flavors on cute skewers! YES! Looks like a party platter winner!
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Make-ahead appetizers like this are a “must” for a dinner party. Love this idea, Sommer!
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Love these appetizers. I made a similar version over the summer. Yum.
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Quick question: where’d you find the skewers with knots at one end?
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How is this spicy???
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