antipasti

definition

Know Your Ingredients: Bresaola

At the Fancy Foods Show, I found myself drawn to paper-thin slices of dark, purple-hued cured meat.

At the Fancy Foods Show, I found myself drawn to paper-thin slices of dark, purple-hued cured meat. I quickly learned that the ultratender, sweet meat was something called bresaola, also known as beef prosciutto. Bresaola is an air-cured, spiced, and salted cut of beef that is aged for several months. The cut comes from the hind leg of the animal and is best served thinly sliced as an antipasto. While the beef cut (usually the eye of round) is very tender, unlike prosciutto, it's extremely lean and has no visible fat. Valtellina, the Alpine valley in Lombardy where bresaola was first conceived, is a protected geographical indication; those made in the same style outside Valtellina are often labeled "viande séchee" instead. The most popular way to serve bresaola is sliced on its own as an appetizer. It is often drizzled with olive oil or vinegar in the style of beef carpaccio, or served on top of salads and pizza. Have you ever tried bresaola?

Source: Flickr User snowpea&bokchoi

Appetizers

Killer App: Clams Oreganata

Clams are quickly becoming a staple in my appetizer arsenal.

Clams are quickly becoming a staple in my appetizer arsenal. They're my go-to shellfish when I'm sick of shrimp. I've made clams casino, grilled clams, and over the long weekend, I tried clams oreganata.

A classic Italian antipasti, the oreganata topping consists of breadcrumbs, garlic, and lots of fresh oregano. It's a savory and scrumptious way to enjoy clams on the half shell.

The most difficult thing about this appetizer is getting the clams open. I followed the recipe exactly and it took some effort to shuck the clams. The work was worth it, though, because these clams were crowd-pleasing and delicious. Learn how it's done after the break.