Antipasto Tray...

Here is a helpful hint or idea....an antipasto tray is a great way to serve appetizers, at your next dinner party....it can be done ahead of time and left out even....the cheese should be room temperature to be the best it can be....

the funnest and cheapest idea for a tray is a tile from your hardware store....they are 1 to 3 dollars each depending on the size and you can get all different colors....you can put little felt pieces on the bottom, if you want to put it on the nice coffee table or buffet table, but if you are just putting it on an outdoor table or like me the cutting board, you don't need to bother....

there are many ideas of items to add to a tray...but it traditionally is, a few very good artisan cheeses, some fruit that is easy to pick up and go, like the grapes and berries in season, crackers or little breads and something salty like olives, cured meats, capers, smoked fish or anchovies....add a few nuts served salted or plain... all these flavors enhance the flavor of your great wine....crackers or little breads are good too, remember this is just to wet the appetite, not fill up your guests....so don't feel like you need to make a huge amount....use a smaller tile and pile it on....it will look like more! Always add something that is jazzy...in this case dried figs....but it could be fresh raspberries, or a fig bread or date breads...just something unexpected...

pick a couple of local good wines, they don't have to be expensive but yes they should be good....so get what you like, and a variety....if after your dinner party you have left over wine you can put it in 1/2 cup increments in baggies and freeze it...when you need some for a recipe 'voila' you got it!

Cheers to Happy  !!