Antipasto Braid Food

ANTIPASTO BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, toss olives, artichokes, tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons oil and basil until combined., On a lightly floured surface, carefully unroll French loaf dough; roll into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Layer prosciutto, provolone cheese and red peppers lengthwise down center third of rectangle. Top with olive mixture., On each long side, cut 10 strips about 3-1/2 in. into the center. , Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling, pinching ends to seal. Brush with remaining oil and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese., Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm.

ANTIPASTO SALAD

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: In a blender, add the basil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Serve.

ANTIPASTO BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a 9 x 13 ungreased baking pan, unroll one package of crescent rolls, sealing perforations and press dough to edges of pan.
• Top the crescent roll dough with the ham, swiss, salami, provolone and the pepperoni.
• Slice the roasted peppers into strips, and lay them on top of the pepperoni layer.
• Beat 2 eggs with the Parmesan cheese, and pour over the roasted peppers.
• Top with the second package of crescent rolls, again sealing the perforations as best as you can and pressing dough to the edges of the pan.
• Beat the last egg and spread on top of the dough.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes more.
• Let sit at least 10 minutes before cutting into 2 inch squares.
• Serve warm.

ANTIPASTO BREAD

Steps:

• Core and seed peppers and cut lengthwise into 1/4" strips.
• Heat oil in large skillet, add peppers, and saute over medium heat til just tender.
• Drain on papertowels.
• Line baking sheets with foil.
• On lightly floured surface, roll out one loaf bread dough into a 14" x 8" rectangle.
• (Dough shrinks, so let it relax and re-roll til it stays in shape.).
• Brush dough with beaten egg.
• Using half of the cheese and half of the salami, layer on cheese first, then salami, leaving a slight edge of dough all the way around.
• Sprinkle with half of the black olives.
• Place half of the peppers down along long edge, not all over.
• Sprinkle whole top lightly with oregano.
• Stretch long edge over the peppers, and continue rolling securely, jellyroll-style.
• Pinch/seal edge and ends.
• Place bread diagonally on baking sheet.
• Repeat all with second loaf.
• Cover loaves loosely with a lightly damp cloth towel and let rise in warm place for 30-45 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350.
• Brush loaves with egg.
• Make 6-7 slashes on top of each loaf.
• Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
• Bake 25-30 minutes.
• Serve warm or cold.