Advice for Home Chefs Tackling a New Cuisine

Posted on: 1 March 2023

When planning your next event, you might consider serving up some classic Italian dishes with Italian catering. Italy is known for its robust flavors and fresh ingredients, providing a truly unique culinary experience that your guests will love.

Here are some of the most delicious Italian foods to serve at your next gathering.

Antipasto Platter 

An antipasto platter is a classic Italian hors d'oeuvre typically served before dinner. It's a great starter with various flavors, textures, and colors.

Antipasto platters comprise cured meats, cheese, olives, and other cured vegetables like roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, fennel, and eggplant. The salty and savory tastes come together with crunchy breadsticks to create a pleasant contrast in flavor and texture.

Building the perfect antipasto platter involves choosing ingredients that complement each other so that each element stands out on its own while still working harmoniously together on the plate. Include at least two varieties of cheese that provide contrasts in texture from soft to hard as well as color from white to dark yellow hues. 

For meats, consider adding some seasoning or herbs like oregano for an added depth of flavor, or for presentation purposes, try wrapping them around small pickles or fruits. Olives belong on every antipasto platter, so make sure to include a range of olive options, including green and black, as well as some stuffed with garlic or other ingredients.

Making your own antipasto platter takes little preparation but looks impressive when served at gatherings. It provides guests with an array of options from which they can sample different Italian flavors without filling up overly before the main course. Serve it with an assortment of crusty bread, crostini, and crackers so everyone can enjoy this truly delicious Italian treat!

Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a simple yet incredibly flavorful combination of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. This classic salad is surprisingly easy to make and an ideal starter for any Italian dinner.

Start by selecting the freshest ingredients you can find. Tomatoes should be ripe but still firm, with vibrant colors, and without bruises or blemishes. Mozzarella should be creamy and mild in flavor — either burrata or fior di latte are great options for this dish.

For best results, use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil to enhance the flavors and provide a smooth finish to your salad. The basil should also be freshly picked, and if possible, go for larger leaves, as they will look better on the plate.

To assemble your Caprese salad arrange slices of tomato, followed by slices of mozzarella, and finally sprinkle with some shredded basil leaves on top. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with additional whole basil leaves if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside some crusty bread to enjoy this classic Italian appetizer!