The Italian tradition of aperitivo is more than just a pre-dinner drink. It’s a social hour, a chance to unwind with friends and family over light bites and refreshing beverages. In Italy, as the sun goes down, you will see most people outside, making a beeline for the village bar. As part of local Italian culture, a pre-dinner drink is a common way to greet the evening and it adds a social element to the day. Everyone gathers around the bar and shares a drink while enjoying small snacks, catching up on the day and creating a picture-perfect segway towards winding down.
The aperitivo is a pre-meal drink, often accompanied by something small to nibble on, and is meant to ‘open the stomach’ and prepare it for dinner. In Italy, this often looks like slices of cheese, freshly cut meats or salted nuts. Italy beckons with its vibrant culture, and what better way to bring a taste of that home than with a delightful aperitivo? This social ritual isn’t just about pre-dinner drinks; it’s a chance to unwind with friends and family over light bites that tantalise the taste buds.
With a few key Italian staples from your pantry and refrigerator, you can whip up an impressive plate of appetisers to complement your evening aperitivo in under 30 minutes. But wait! Before we dive into our quick & easy recipes, here are a few tips on how to create a gourmet aperitivo experience in under 30 minutes.
The Perfect Sip:
No aperitivo is complete without drinks. You can choose to incorporate fun cocktails, sparkling wines or even a delicious mocktail. Whichever direction you choose, the food is sure to be the star of the show. With authentic ingredients that come together with our creative recipes, everyone will be reaching for a bite!
Presentation is Key:
Arrange your creations on a beautiful platter, add fresh herbs for a touch of green, and set out some toothpicks. Play some Italian music in the background, light some candles, and you’ve recreated the magic of aperitivo hour. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy la dolce vita at home!
The Perfect Aperitivo Foods By Food Delite:
Edible accompaniments that go well with aperitivo are usually finger foods, easy to eat and packed with flavours that burst on your tongue! Food Delite offers a bounty for creating delicious bites. Use our specially imported Italian ingredients to develop enticing finger foods that inspire and excite your taste buds. Simple flavours, simple ingredients, simple recipes!
Here are a few of our favourites:
Prosciutto & Melon Skewers:
Skewer bite-sized pieces of cantaloupe or honey melon from a local Thai market and wrap it with strips of delicious 18-month aged prosciutto from Food Delite’s selection of cold meats. These sweet and savoury skewers are effortless yet elegant. You can even add a chunk of cheese to the skewer, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a salty & zesty finishing touch.
You can shop this recipe on Food Delite’s online grocery store:
Meat: 18 Month Aged Prosciutto
Cheese: Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese
Dressing: Balsamic Vinegar
Whipped Taleggio Crostini:
Toast thin baguette slices until crunchy and spread a creamy dollop of this delicious taleggio cheese all over it. Drizzle with a touch of natural honey and top with fresh figs, if they’re in season! A sprinkle of black pepper adds a touch of spice and flavour to this otherwise simple preparation.
You can shop this recipe on Food Delite’s online grocery store:
Cheese: Taleggio Cheese
Honey: Truffle Infused Honey
Caviar & Crackers:
Last but never least, caviar & crackers have to be one of the simplest recipes for gourmet food! Simply crack open a tin of our world-class, sustainably sourced caviar and spread it across a cracker for an indulgent pre-dinner snack. Salty, tangy and brimming with umami flavour, this 2-ingredient recipe is simple yet luxuriously delicious!
Choose from our range of specialty Italian caviar, sourced and packed by Caviar Giaveri. Explore, experiment & pamper your palate!
Explore our range of Italian Caviar by Caviar Giaveri!
Discover more delicious Italian recipes and ideas on our Food Delite blog!