Lemon Vinaigrette Marinated Antipasto Food

LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey, if using.
• Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking and continue to whisk until the dressing is emulsified. Alternatively, combine everything in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to combine.
• If your dressing is too tangy, add more olive oil, to taste.
• Add the thyme, if desired, and season to taste. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. The olive oil will solidify a bit in the fridge. To soften, let the dressing sit at room temp for a few minutes and stir before using.

THE BEST LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly stream olive oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking briskly. Beat lemon juice into the mixture.
• Pour dressing into a sealable jar or bottle, seal, and shake until emulsified.

MARINATED ANTIPASTO APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Combine cheese, artichokes and dressing. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.
• Drain cheese and artichokes; discard marinade. Thread 1 each tomato, artichoke quarter, pepperoni slice and cheese cube onto each of 16 small wooden skewers.
• Arrange on platter. Serve with crackers.

LIGHT LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Gently stir the first five ingredients together, do not emulsify. Just before serving, add the fresh Thyme leaves.

MARINATED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water; juice the lemon into the water; set aside. Halve artichokes; if they have any pink choke, trim it from the center, leaving artichoke half intact. Transfer artichokes to acidulated water.
• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Drain artichokes, and add to boiling water. Reduce heat to medium; gently simmer artichokes until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from boiling water, and drain; set aside.
• Make vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, whisk shallot, mustard, and vinegar. While whisking, slowly add oil. Stir in tarragon; season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss artichokes with 1/2 cup vinaigrette; transfer to a serving dish. Strip leaves from one sprig of thyme, and sprinkle on artichokes. Use remaining sprigs for garnish. Serve artichokes with remaining vinaigrette on the side.

MARINATED BABY EGGPLANTS WITH PINE NUTS AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high.
• Place the eggplants, cut side up, in the grill pan and brush with a little of the olive oil.
• Grill for 10 minutes, until slightly blackened, turning them over half way through cooking.
• To make the marinade: Put the remaining olive oil, the lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, pine nuts, raisins, sugar and bay leaf in a clean, screw-top jar.
• Add the red pepper flakes and salt and pepper and mix well.
• Place the hot eggplants in an earthenware or glass bowl, and pour over the marinade.
• Leave to cool, turning the eggplants once or twice.
• Serve at room temperature.

ITALIAN ANTIPASTO SALAD W/ ARTICHOKES & RED PEPPER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix all ingredients.
• Add lemon vinaigrette dressing and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. Serve on romaine lettuce if desired.

ANTIPASTO WITH MARINATED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Prepare Marinated Mushrooms; set aside. Combine vinegar, dried basil, oregano and black pepper in small bowl. Add oil; whisk until well blended. Add mozzarella cubes; stir to coat. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
• Drain mozzarella cubes, reserving marinade. Wrap 1/2 of prosciutto slices around provolone sticks; roll up remaining slices separately. Arrange mozzarella cubes, prosciutto-wrapped provolone sticks, prosciutto rolls, Marinated Mushrooms, pepperoncini, salami, artichoke hearts and olives on large platter lined with lettuce, if desired. Drizzle reserved marinade over pepperoncini, artichoke hearts and olives. Garnish, if desired. Serve with small forks or toothpicks.
• MARINATED MUSHROOM DIRECTIONS: Combine lemon juice, parsley, salt, tarragon, garlic and pepper in medium bowl. Add oil; whisk until well blended. Add mushrooms; stir to coat. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator 4 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally. Drain mushrooms; reserve marinade for dressing, if desired.