Antipasto With Red Pepper Tapenade Food

RUSTIC ANTIPASTO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high. Brush eggplant slices with oil and place on grill. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Grill eggplant 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Arrange sliced grilled eggplant on a platter and top with a splash of red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and chopped fresh parsley.
• Wedge table cheeses and arrange them on your antipasto platter. Arrange sliced drained roasted red peppers next to your eggplant.
• Combine artichokes and mushrooms in a bowl and toss with crushed garlic, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, parsley, and thyme. Season artichokes and mushrooms with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Fan out sliced Italian meats on your platter between cheeses and pile your olives at the center of the platter. Prepare the rest of your meal. Just before serving, remove crushed garlic clove from artichokes and mushrooms and transfer the mixture to the antipasto platter.

ANTIPASTO

Steps:

• Place the boccocini and olives on a platter or bowl. Top with basil and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.

GRILLED ANTIPASTO WITH MEZZO SOPRANO SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the Soprano Sauce: Combine the anchovies, garlic and capers in a small bowl or a food processor. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and season further with salt, if desired. Set aside.
• Build a charcoal fire or preheat gas grill.
• Make the vegetables: Lightly coat cut vegetables with oil and sprinkle with salt. One by one lay the vegetable slices and green onions on the cooking grate over direct medium heat. (Do this in batches if necessary so the grill is not crowded.) Cook about 5 minutes. Turn the vegetables over. Cook 3 or 4 minutes longer. As soon as vegetables are done, remove from grill and transfer to a platter: the zucchini, radicchio and green onions should be done first; the eggplant will take a little longer and the sweet potatoes will be the last to cook through. While the vegetables are warm, coat with Soprano Sauce. Let cool to room temperature and coat again if necessary.
• When all the other vegetables are done, place the tomatoes onto the cooking grate to mark and warm through, about 2 minutes. Coat with Soprano Sauce and place onto the platter with the other vegetables, if desired. Decorate with lemon wedges and serve at room temperature.

ANTIPASTO PLATTER

Steps:

• 1. Assemble the meats and cheeses on a large cutting board or flat platter to come to room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving.
• 2. Place cheese knives next to each kind of cheese, small forks for the meats, and a small bowl for anything like olive pits or used toothpicks.
• 3. If time permits, serve with at least one simple homemade item like: Honey Ricotta Pears, Wine-Poached Figs, or Warm Mediterranean Olives.
• 4. Place the bread and crackers in a basket on the side or directly on the board. Arrange the fruits and nuts on the board or in small decorative bowls. Serve with red and white wine.
• 1. Halve and core the pear, then cut into slices, leaving the stem-end intact and not cutting through to separate the slices. Squeeze the lemon juice over the cut side of the pear halves.
• 2. Season the ricotta with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then place in 2 mounds on a plate. Top the ricotta mounds with the sliced pear halves, gently fanning out the slices. Drizzle the pears with honey and sprinkle with the pine nuts.
• Trim and halve the figs, place in a saucepan with the wine, sugar, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine is reduced by half and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Serve on top of an assertive cheese, such as blue, Taleggio, or a triple cream, spread over the bread slices.
• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, vinegar, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.

RED PEPPER AND TAPENADE SLICES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove crescent dough from can and unroll. Separate into 8 triangles. Lay pieces of dough on baking sheet. Top each slice with a spoonful of marinara sauce, some shredded jack and blue cheese, a spoonful of olive tapenade, and red bell pepper strips.
• Bake in oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are golden.

ROASTED RED PEPPER TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add garlic; cook, uncovered, just until tender, 6-8 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Place red peppers, almonds, tomato paste, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small food processor; process until blended. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to allow flavors to blend., Sprinkle with basil. Serve with baguette slices.