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 these appetizers. I made a similar version over the summer. Yum.
Make-ahead appetizers like this are a “must” for a dinner party. Love this idea, Sommer!
All my favorite flavors on cute skewers! YES! Looks like a party platter winner!
Oh my goodness, girl… this is my kind of platter of goodness!
Fresh and easy, that’s what I like!
I would love someday to have a garden – maybe our next move…. Love these skewers – perfect for entertaining!
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!
love these tasty bites!! great vinaigrette!
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.
This looks so terrific. I love the presentation. Just wonderful.
I completely agree! Fresh, seasonal ingredients are key! This looks like the perfect addition to any summer table. Thank you for sharing!
Such a fun idea for a summer potluck! And I have all those herbs growing in my garden too–perfect!
oh I love these! especially the salty salami bits, yum!
My favorite things all on a stick! These skewers will make great party food… bookmarking :)
I was already tempted by the picture. ^.^ Looks just wonderful with the tomato and mozarella and of course the herb dressing…. *musing*
These look great! I love all the herbs jammed into that vinaigrette.
I could eat my weight in this deliciousness.
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.