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Easy Anti-Pasta or Salad

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

What you need

  1. Large fresh heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors (purple and yellow look terrific with this combination)
  2. 2 hearts of celery with leaves intact
  3. 2-3 carrots, sliced thinly on a diagonal
  4. 1 large sweet red pepper
  5. 1 english cucumber, skin on and washed with soap (rinse very well)
  6. Kalamata olives
  7. Fresh baby greens if available (optional)
  8. Balsamic Viniagrette

How to make it

  1. Carefully slice the tomatoes into about 1/4 inch thick slices
  2. Cut the bottom of the celery hearts to disengage the stalks
  3. Slice the red pepper thinly
  4. Cut the cucumber in 1/4 inch thick slices on a diagonal
  5. On a very large platter, lay a bed of greens (optional)
  6. On one side, layer the sliced tomatoes
  7. Next to the tomatoes, place the celery stalks
  8. Next to the celery, place the carrot slices
  9. Next add the olives
  10. Next add the red pepper
  11. 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 vinaigrette. To serve as a salad to accompany a more formal dinner, drizzle the platter all over with the vinaigrette.

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