Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette
Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette are great for cocktail parties and weekend barbecues. They are easy to handle and so easy to love!
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 daughter has been known to start planning our annual Halloween party 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
- Fresh seasonal ingredients
Today’s dish is an appetizer that covers all my party menu requirements. It’s visually appealing, can be made ahead easily, and includes fresh tomatoes and basil straight from my garden!
I put my antipasto platter on small wooden skewers to make them easy to carry, then dress them with a zesty dressing for easy-peasy Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette.
The beauty of these Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette is that you can put all your favorites from an antipasto platter right on the little sticks. Then 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. This recipe allow for both!
Antipasto Skewers with Herb Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Herb Vinaigrette:
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For the Antipasto Skewers:
- 8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (1 container)
- 8 ounces hard salami cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 can small artichoke hearts, halved
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, or grape
- 1 cup pitted olives, any variety
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 package 4-6 inch skewers
Instructions
- 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.
Love anything you can make ahead!
Beautiful and healthy!
these are so fun and pretty
These skewers could definitely stand as a whole meal for me. I love everything about these Sommer!
Ohh, I love these, there so creative!!
love a good antipasto appetizer! I totally need a new fridge. I will have to check this one out!
Beautiful post!
What a fun appetizer, I love this idea!
Beautiful appetizer and that is one amazing refrigerator I would love in my kitchen!
I just love appetizers like this they look delicious!!!
The ultimate party dish. Love everything about it.
Skewers are a great appetizer option! Love these!
OMG, I love this. Hard.
Love love love!!!
The Contest Ended August 22nd. Too Bad =( I got Excited there for a Quick Minute!!
Oh dear! That is not supposed to be the case. Let me check into it!
yes just found that out myself. oh well. Those apps look really great and easy!
A party planner in the making! These should definitely be part of a planned picnic.
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. :)
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!!