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Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Pickles Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 31 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including marinating time minimum)
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: European

Description

This Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer combines diced Havarti cheese with flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, cubed salami, tangy cornichons, Castelvetrano olives, and fresh basil, all marinated in a zesty garlic vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick and delicious appetizer, it’s ideal for serving with crackers, bread, or as part of a charcuterie board, making entertaining effortless and tasty.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Meats

  • 6 oz Havarti cheese, diced
  • 1 cup salami, cubed

Vegetables and Garnishes

  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
  • ½ cup cornichons (small pickles)
  • ½ cup Castelvetrano olives
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Dressing

  • 1 cup garlic vinaigrette (or Italian-style vinaigrette)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced Havarti cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, cubed salami, cornichons, Castelvetrano olives, and freshly chopped basil. Stir gently to mix the ingredients evenly without breaking up the cheese too much.
  2. Add Dressing: Pour one cup of garlic vinaigrette (or substitute with Italian-style vinaigrette) over the combined ingredients. Mix gently again to ensure all components are well coated with the vinaigrette, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  3. Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours. For best results and deeper flavor infusion, marinate overnight, allowing the vinaigrette to soften the cheese and enhance the savory elements.
  4. Serve: Remove from the refrigerator and serve chilled or at room temperature. Present the marinated cheese appetizer with your favorite crackers, sliced bread, or as part of a charcuterie board to impress guests with minimal effort.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors, but at least 1-2 hours is necessary for good flavor infusion.
  • Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to add moisture and richness; drain slightly if too oily.
  • Castelvetrano olives provide a mild, buttery taste; substitute with green olives if unavailable.
  • This appetizer can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for party planning.
  • Serve with a variety of crackers or toasted baguette slices for added texture.

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Find it online: https://a-tale-of-two.com/easy-marinated-cheese-appetizer-with-salami-and-pickles-recipe-2/