Description
Mediterranean charm meets culinary artistry in this Marinated Cheese with Salami & Olives, blending rich flavors from Italy’s sun-drenched landscapes. Creamy cheese, zesty salami, and briny olives create a perfect appetizer that whisks you to coastal elegance with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) Havarti cheese, diced into bite-sized cubes
- 1 cup salami, diced into bite-sized cubes
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained if necessary)
- 1/2 cup green olives (pitted)
- 1/2 cup cornichons (small French pickles), sliced if desired
Seasoning and Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Garlic Expressions or your favorite Italian-style vinaigrette
Instructions
- Gather and dice Havarti cheese into uniform cubes, ensuring precision for consistent marination.
- Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes, salami, green olives, and cornichons to create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Select fresh basil leaves and chop them delicately to release their aromatic essence.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the diced cheese, chopped ingredients, and torn basil leaves.
- Drizzle Italian-style vinaigrette over the mixture, gently folding to ensure each component is thoroughly coated.
- Select a clean mason jar or airtight container with a secure lid for optimal preservation.
- Carefully transfer the marinated mixture into the chosen container, pressing gently to minimize air pockets.
- Seal the container and place in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- For maximum flavor development, let the marinated cheese rest for up to a week in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, remove from refrigeration and arrange artfully on a serving platter, inserting decorative toothpicks for easy individual sampling.
- Offer chilled for a refreshing appetizer that showcases the vibrant medley of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
Notes
- Customize the vinaigrette by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an extra flavor boost.
- Opt for low-sodium salami and olives if watching salt intake, creating a lighter version of the appetizer.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or feta to discover unique flavor combinations.
- Prep this dish ahead of time for stress-free entertaining, as the flavors intensify beautifully when left to marinate longer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg