Easy aperitivo platter
An extract from Smart Bites + Cool Drinks - Easy Platters for Laid-Back Feasts
“Aperitivo isn’t just a pre-dinner snack; it’s a whole laid-back moment. Think lazy afternoons, golden hour light, and that magical sweet spot where you’re not quite hungry but definitely ready for something to nibble. This platter is your ticket to Med-style snacking without any fuss: briny olives, crunchy almonds, salty crisps, and buttery Manchego — all anchored by a smoky, creamy pepper dip for those crisps that’ll have everyone double-dipping (we won’t tell). Amounts for the almonds, olives, crisps, and cheese are pretty loose — this is snack food, not a maths exam. But if you’re after a rough guide, allow about 25–30g of almonds, 30–40g of olives, 25–30g of crisps, and 30–40g of cheese per person. It’s simple to scale — just multiply up depending on how many people you’re feeding. The smoky dip makes about 300ml, which is plenty for six, but just double or triple the recipe if you’ve got more mouths (and hands) hovering.” - Leanne Kitchen & Antony Suvalko
SERVES 6
180g roasted blanched almonds
240g Sicilian olives
180g sea salt crisps
180–240g piece Manchego cheese, cut into small pieces or served whole
Smoky pepper dip
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated juice of 1/2 a lemon
85g (1⁄3 cup) sour cream
85g (1⁄3 cup) mayonnaise (see page 86) 200g jar piquillo peppers, drained well 11⁄2 tsp smoked paprika
1 spring onion, trimmed and finely chopped
For the smoky pepper dip, combine all the ingredients except the spring onion in a food processor, then process until smooth. Taste, season with salt and pepper, then stir in the spring onion. Transfer to a serving bowl. Arrange the almonds, olives, crisps and cheese on a platter, then serve with the dip.
SMART BITES + COOL DRINKS
Think recipes for clever, no-fuss platter food designed for stress-free entertaining – there’s juicy, fluffy Chinese duck bao, the pimped-up hummus of your wildest dreams, Med-inspired dip platters, cute little tuna onigiri, and so much more.
Oh, and did we mention cocktails! We’ve teamed up with our mates at Liquorland so they’re NEXT LEVEL. So consider this your official notice to flex those shaking, stirring, and muddling skills because you’ll be needing them. Go on support independent publishing and get some kick-@&#$ recipes at the same time!
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