Description
Mediterranean-inspired Marinated Cheese delights with zesty herbs and savory salami, creating a quick party favorite. Crisp pickles and tangy cheese blend perfectly, promising an irresistible starter you’ll want to serve at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese cubes
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese cubes
- 8 ounces (226 grams) salami slices, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mini pickles (cornichons or dill pickles)
Marinade Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish Ingredients:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Fresh thyme, chopped
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until well combined.
- Select a shallow serving dish and create an artful arrangement by layering cheese cubes in a single, even spread.
- Elegantly fold salami slices into quarters, strategically positioning them between the cheese cubes to create visual interest.
- Nestle mini pickles throughout the dish, filling the spaces between cheese and salami to enhance the overall composition.
- Drizzle the prepared marinade evenly across the entire surface, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated and infused with the flavorful mixture.
- Secure the dish with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to marinate and develop deep, complex flavors for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally overnight.
- Just before serving, garnish the appetizer with a sprinkle of fresh herbs to introduce a vibrant pop of color and aromatic freshness.
- Provide toothpicks for effortless sampling or serve alongside crisp crackers to add an extra textural dimension to this enticing appetizer.
Notes
- Create a quick marinade ahead of time to enhance flavor intensity and let ingredients absorb delicious seasonings completely.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like feta, mozzarella, or goat cheese for unique taste profiles and exciting texture combinations.
- Select high-quality salami and pickles from specialty stores to elevate the overall appetizer experience and impress guests with gourmet ingredients.
- Allow ample marinating time to develop deep, complex flavors that transform simple ingredients into a sophisticated and memorable starter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg