ANTIPASTO SALAD

Antipasto in English means 'before pasta' or 'before your main dish' and is commonly known as starters, something to clear the palate and get the appetite going.

Antipasto is an appetizer usually consisting of an assortment of smoked meats, cheeses, fish and raw vegetables.

Antipasto means " before the meal" pasto is meal, pasta is pasta

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CHICKPEA ANTIPASTO SALAD

Chickpea Antipasto Salad Ingredients

• 2 c. coked, drained chickpeas
• 1 c. cooked artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 4 oz. veggie salami (optional)
• 1 red pepper, largely diced
• 1 green pepper, cut into strips
• 1/4 c. black, pitted olives, drained
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 T flax seed oil (or another T of olive oil)
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 T fresh basil, minced (1 tsp dry)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Chickpea Antipasto Salad Cooking Directions

1. In a salad bowl, combine the chickpeas, artichoke hearts, red and green peppers, (salami) and olives.
2. In a jar with a lid, combine the oils, vinegar, garlic, basil, salt and pepper.
3. Put the lid on the jar, and shake to blend.
4. Add the oil mixture to the veggies.
5. Toss and serve.

This recipe for Chickpea Antipasto Salad takes about 15 minutes to cook and serves 4 to 6 people.

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TORTELLINI ANTIPASTO SALAD

DRESSING: 6 tbsp. oil (olive) 1/4 c. red wine vinegar 2 oz. minced Italian salami 1 tbsp. finely chopped basil 1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. salt Pinch red pepper flakes SALAD: 4 c. spinach leaves 1 pkg. cheese filled tortellini 4 oz. Provolone cheese, cubed 2 jars (6 oz. each) marinated artichoke heats, drained and sliced 3 plum tomatoes, cubed 1/2 c. chopped imported ripe olives Dressing: In jar with tight fitting lid, combine all ingredients; cover and shake vigorously. Line a large salad bowl with spinach leaves. In large bowl toss remaining ingredients with dressing. Spoon into salad bowl. ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬