ANTIPASTI PLATTER WITH APRICOT MOSTARDA

ANTIPASTI PLATTER WITH APRICOT MOSTARDA image

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

INGREDIENTS FOR ANTIPASTI PLATTER
2 Types of Salami (meat): Mario recommends a spiced salami, plus a whole muscle variety such as coppa or prosciutto.
3 Types of Cheese: soft, spreadable goat cheese to be used with the apricot mostarda, plus one hard cheese (i.e. and Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Tuada, Brunet), and one semi-firm or semi-soft cheese (i.e. Coach Farm Triple Cream, Smoked Ricotta, Baita Friuli, Gorgonzola, Blu Di Langa, Taleggio, Cacio Di Roma). Steer clear of mozzarella, as it is featured in the first course!
1 Cheese Condiment: Apricot Mostarda (recipe below)
1-2 Vegetables: i.e. store bought marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives
Crusty Italian bread
INGREDIENTS FOR APRICOT MOSTARDA
2 cups dried apricots, thinly sliced
1/3 cup simple syrup (instructions to make this below under Preparation)
¼ cup dry white wine
¾ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
½ tablespoon mustard seeds
½ tablespoon olive oil
Crackers for serving (we liked the cranberry Rainforest Crisps from Whole Foods)
Soft, spreadable goat cheese for serving

Steps:

Preparation Make the simple syrup by combining ¾ cup water and ¾ cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Remove at once from heat and let cool. Combine the apricots, simple syrup, and wine in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes to soften the apricots, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the pepper flakes, mustard seeds, and olive oil. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight before serving. (The mostarda can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.) Assemble your antipasti platter before heading to the hosts' home. Spread the goat cheese atop the crackers, then spread a dollop of the apricot mostarda atop the goat cheese. Arrange the meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, and a little cup of the apricot mostarda on the platter. Don't forget to slice the crusty Italian bread and arrange in a basket, bowl, or whatever is convenient. Chef's notes: Whole Foods, Fairway, and the Darien Cheese Shop all sell an amazing variety of cheeses and meats. Availability varies from store to store, so we tried to recommend an array of Mario's recommendations. Don't forget to make the apricot mostarda at least a day in advance!