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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.

Coco for Coconut Water!

Coconut water isn’t just another health trend, it’s here to stay! Whether you’re looking for a tasty alternative to water, a non dairy smoothie or a natural  electrolyte boost, coconut water is the way to go. If you weren’t amongst the first wave of coconut water lovers, you may be wondering what’s so good about it – or even what is it? Don’t worry – we have your crash course in coconuts right here!

Milk vs Water – What’s the difference?

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 Coconut water is confused with coconut milk all the time! It’s pretty easy to do! But there are some key differences between the two products. Coconut water is found inside the cavity of the coconut, while coconut milk is made from the white pulp of the fruit. So, there’s your main difference! But the list doesn’t quite stop there!

Coconut milk is much higher in fats in calories. It’s so smooth and creamy that it’s used in recipes such as smoothies, soups and curries. While coconut water on the other hand, contains sodium and potassium, making it the ideal beverage to help you hydrate after exercising.  In fact, coconut water can help replenish body fluids even better than some sports drinks, and some even argue plain water itself! It’s even been dubbed ‘Nature’s Gatorade’!

Now that’s a miracle in a bottle for you!

What Coconut Water can do for You

 There are so many amazing health benefits that come from drinking coconut water! And we’ve got them ready for you, right here!

 Improves Skin Appearance

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 That’s right coconut water can even help slow down the signs of aging! It contains a special plant growth hormone called cytokinins that strengthens and hydrates connective tissues and combat against aging! You can even rub some of it straight on to your skin to help with acne, eczema, stretch marks and wrinkles!

Improves Digestive Health

If you’re having some trouble with indigestion, coconut water can provide you with some relief! With a high concentration in fibre, coconut water can help prevent it’s occurrence of indigestion as well as acid reflux.

Reduces Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can sometimes be caused by an uneven level of electrolytes. Now here’s where coconut water comes in! High in electrolytes, this miracle drink can perform a bit of a balancing act and get your blood pressure back to normal with regular consumption!

Weight Loss

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There’s even been some studies aiming to prove that coconut water can aid your with weight loss! It can work to improve your metabolism and even help your body keep itself hydrated! It also acts as a diuretic that helps shed any excess water weight that your body may be holding on to!

Why We Love Coconut Water!

 There are so many reasons why we love coconut water! From the refreshing taste to the incredible health benefits that it can help provide you with, we can’t see any reason not to!

In fact, coconut water is so very near and dear to our hearts that we’ve decided to make it our Peaches Product of the Month! So if we’ve now got you feeling a bit coco for coconut water yourself, make sure to head in store today!

We’ve got Born Coconut Water for just $2.99 per litre!