Recipes

Italian Bloody Mary Bar and Antipasti Skewers

Our Creamy Garlic Sauce, Basil Pesto, Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini and Italian Meatballs come together in this brunch-friendly feast of two kinds of Bloody Mary mixes and Italian-style skewers that really satisfy. Pressed for time? You can make and assemble every part of this spread up to a day ahead.

Ingredients

Garlic Bloody Mary Mix

4 cups tomato juice
8 teaspoons Armanino Creamy Garlic Sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon ground pepper

Basil Pesto Bloody Mary Mix

4 cups tomato juice
8 teaspoons Armanino Basil Pesto
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon ground pepper

Antipasti Skewers

long wooden skewers
Armanino Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini, defrosted
½ oz Armanino Italian Meatballs, defrosted
pepperoncini or cherry peppers
Italian meats – genoa salami, pepperoni, capicola – sliced folded in quarters or cut into 1-inch cubes
Italian cheeses – small fresh mozzarella balls, provolone, fontina – cut into 1-inch cubes
Italian pickled vegetables – pitted olives, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, giardiniera
cherry tomatoes
fresh basil leaves

Assembly

vodka or tequila

Directions

For the Bloody Mary Mixes: in a large pitcher, combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce and pepper. Stir in the creamy garlic sauce or basil pesto to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
For the antipasti skewers, pre-thread various combinations of ingredients on the wooden skewers or place the wooden skewers in a glass jar and arrange the ingredients on a platter to assemble as desired.
For a make-your-own Bloody Mary Bar, set up several labeled pitchers or carafes of the Bloody Mary mixes and various bottles of alcohol – vodka is traditional but tequila and even gin are good as well – and a bucket of ice. Fill a large platter with the antipasti ingredients including Armanino meatballs and cheese tortellini and/or pre-made skewers. Add bottles of hot sauce, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce and stacks of cups. Place wooden skewers and straws in jars and allow guests to assemble their own creations.
Fill the glass with ice and the desired Bloody Mary mix and top with vodka or tequila. Add an antipasti skewer, stir and enjoy.

Chef’s Tips

The meatballs and tortellini are already cooked so you only need to defrost. A minute or two in the microwave for the meatballs wouldn’t hurt.
Like it a little spicier? Add more hot sauce or a spoonful of horseradish to the mix.
For something different, add ½ cup beef broth to the creamy garlic mix recipe for a Bloody Bull.
The mix recipes can be easily doubled or tripled and can be made up to a day ahead of time.