The Art of the Antipasto Platter

Gone are the days of soggy spring rolls and hot-on-the-outside, cold-on-the-inside party pies when it comes to hosting a party.

That was so early 2000s.

Thanks to the resurgence of the coolness of Italian culture, the antipasto platter has now become the party food of the moment.

Antipasto means “before the meal” and is traditionally served as the first meal of a formal Italian meal.

Traditional antipasto platters include cold meats, olives, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses, pickled vegetables and some form of bread to serve with.

However, when antipasto platters are done well they can be the pièce de résistance of an entire party.

Ask any Italian and they will tell you that creating the perfect antipasto platter is an art form, certain foods work well together, certain flavors clash and it is all about high quality ingredients.

At Peaches, we have all of the ingredients necessary to create the perfect platter for your guests.

And tag us in any photos of any of your antipasto creations.

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La Fondazione (The Foundation)

When you’re building a house, it is important to have a solid foundation to build the rest of the house upon.

The same is true for an antipasto platter.

Start with a great wooden serving board, or if you are looking to be really on trend, find a marble or colored serving board to serve as a base.

Once you have selected your base, you must then focus on the next most important level – the meats.

The cold meats will serve as a base for the whole platter.

Try some fresh prosciutto, mortadella and some Italian sausage – or if you want to get really fancy, find some beautiful bresaola (air-dried, salted beef) to complement these flavors.

 

Il Secondo Livello (The Second Level)

Once you have your meat, move on to the second level of your perfect antipasto board.

Add some beautiful cheeses in a variety of textures – pair your creamy Camembert with flavored cheddar.

If you are opting for something more traditional, stick with mozzarella or provolone.

When it comes to olives, go for a garlic flavor in a mix of brown and green.

Add in some pickled vegetables in a small bowl on the side – you don’t want these flavors mixing with the meats

Artichoke hearts are the next layer and should also be served in a small bowl because of the oil. The flavors of these artichokes are perfect when paired with the meats, so give it a try.

Another fantastic edition is eggplants and zucchini in oil. You can make these yourself with fresh vegetables, or you can buy them ready made.

 

Gli Ultimi Ritocchi (The Finishing Touches)

An antipasto platter is made in the final stages – these are the elements that pull all of the rest together.

Toast some beautiful Turkish bread covered in salt. This should be served warm so that your guests can pile on the cheese and cured meats.

An alternative to this is some fresh pita, cooked in the oven for about 10 minutes. It creates a great “cracker” style of bread.

For a sweeter touch, add in some fresh or dried figs. You could also add in a dip with some bread sticks.

The most important thing at this point is to look for the balance in your platter. And remember: people eat with their eyes, so presentation is everything.

Peaches Product of the Month: Ansko’s Muesli

We all know the importance of starting your day with a well-balanced breakfast but sometimes, the morning has other plans along the lines of missed alarms and an empty fridge. Luckily the brilliant solution to all our missed breakfast woes is right here at Peaches! Ansko’s Muesli is made with only fresh local produce and a whole lot of natural goodness that will keep you going throughout the day. Partners Romesh Fernando and Anna-Marie Pitkanen started this company having a passion for fitness and living a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle embodying their wonderful products. Their muesli has even gained attention from celebrities such as Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte who have now joined forces with Ansko’s as partners. For all these great reasons (and many more still to come) we’ve decided to make Ansko’s Muesli our May product of the month.

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Ansko’s Muesli is currently available in four different varieties all available at Peaches now! From Gluten Free, Pistachio, Peach and Pecan and Original, you’ll be really enjoying the luxury that is a delightful and healthy breakfast. If you’re looking to bring some extra fibre into your diet, Pistachio and Peach and Pecan are definitely the right choices for you. Gluten free is the perfect option for all those celiac disease sufferers out there, made with brown rice, fruit, nuts and Australia. And you simply can’t go wrong with the Original, filled with only the best, making it both dairy and cholesterol free. Ansko’s recommends mixing your favourite variety with either milk or plain yoghurt and then its ready to be enjoyed.

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There’s never been a better time to get excited about breakfast! Not only does having a proper breakfast in the morning means a greater level of cognitive function throughout the day including improved mood and concentration levels and reduced stress. There are also some amazing long term benefits that come from a regular breakfast routine such as reduced obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

If you’re looking to lead that healthy lifestyle you’ve always wanted, it all starts in the morning! Ansko’s Muesli is the perfect way to start your day. Stop by Peaches and pick up your new favourite breakfast today.