How to Make an Antipasto Platter

You can assemble various foods into an attractive spread easily. Antipasto calls for serving an array of cheeses, meats, breads, olives, and vegetables on a large platter. Assembling antipasto is 50 percent presentation.

An antipasto platter can include these items (and many others!):

• Mozzarella, provolone, fontina, Parmesan, or goat cheese (cubed or thinly sliced)

• Thinly sliced ham, prosciutto, and Genoa salami

• Rounds of pepperoni or sopressata salami

• Thin slices of mortadella (a garlic-flavored bologna) or capicola (made from cured pork)

• Cooked shrimp (best if tossed in a vinaigrette dressing)

• Canned anchovies, sardines, or tuna packed in olive oil; drained

• Canned chickpeas tossed in vinaigrette dressing

• Sun-dried tomatoes in oil, grape tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes

• Marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, capers, roasted cipollini onions

• Assorted black and green olives

• Assorted fresh vegetables

• Sliced ripe pears, melon, figs, or small bunches of grapes

• Flavored breads, breadsticks, and flatbreads