Easy Anti-Pasta or Salad

Total time for this recipe is 30 minutes or less.

This one is ultra-simple, but comes off looking very elegant.

Large fresh heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors (purple and yellow look terrific with this combination)
2 hearts of celery with leaves intact
2-3 carrots, sliced thinly on a diagonal
1 large sweet red pepper
1 english cucumber, skin on and washed with soap (rinse very well)
Kalamata olives
Fresh baby greens if available (optional)
Balsamic Viniagrette

Carefully slice the tomatoes into about 1/4 inch thick slices
Cut the bottom of the celery hearts to disengage the stalks
Slice the red pepper thinly
Cut the cucumber in 1/4 inch thick slices on a diagonal
On a very large platter, lay a bed of greens (optional)
On one side, layer the sliced tomatoes
Next to the tomatoes, place the celery stalks
Next to the celery, place the carrot slices
Next add the olives
Next add the red pepper
Next add the cucumber

To serve as an anti-pasta for a small group or part of a buffet, put out some appetizer or cocktail plates and forks along with a bowl with viniagrette. To serve as a salad to accompany a more formal dinner, drizzle the platter all over with the viniagrette.

Questions about this recipe?

Appetizers

Easy Anti-Pasta or Salad