Easy Entertaining

(Photos by Marcus Nilsson / March 2007 )
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I love ideas for quick entertaining that cause no additional stress. Thanks to another great article in Domino Magazine here is an example of just that.
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Prepping this spread is about assembling and arranging! You can use the list below as a guide and substitute any other great things you might find. Display fixings on wooden boards and in bowls. Pop some organic sparkling wine. La dolce vita!

Instant (Organic) Antipasto
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THE ANTIPASTO COMPONENTS
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Meats -
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Salami
Summer Sausage
Pepperoni sticks
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Cheese -
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Parmigiano
Orgonzola
Mozzarella with lemon zest and cracked pepper
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Vegetables -
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Black and Green Olives
Roasted Red Peppers
Pickled Italian Beans
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Bruschetta -
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Pesto
Artichoke Cream
White-bean and Sun-dried-tomato spread (click for recipe)
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Basic Bruschetta - Serves 12
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Make this just before everyone arrives, so it doesn't get stale.
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2 loaves (1½ pounds) rustic bread, each cut into twelve ½" slices
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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Preheat the oven to 375°. Place the bread slices in a single layer on a sheet pan. Drizzle the bread with the olive oil, then flip and drizzle the other side. Bake until the bread starts to turn golden on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Flip slices and cook for another 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven, apply toppings and serve.
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Drinks - _

Prosecco Perlage Riva Moretta
A dry, clean and crisp apertif, with pronounced notes of green apple. $15 Organic Wine Company.
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Fleury Père & Fils Carte Rouge
Brut From 100 percent Pinot Noir in a biodynamic vineyard, this has strong citrus flavor. $36.99 Appellation Wine and Spirits.
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Delmas Blanquette de Limoux Brut
From where the world's first sparkling wines were produced (by monks!), a dry, full-bodied sparkler with toasty and lemony currents. Organic Wine Company.
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Additional Resources - The Meat Shop of Tacoma, Happy Girl Kitchen, igourmet.com, Whole Spice, Ingredients Gourmet, Diamond Organics.