Antipasto Skewers, Hot Salami & Truffle Pecorino Recipe

Name: TAO Downtown Restaurants Antipasto Skewers, Hot Salami & Truffle Pecorino Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 each wooden or bamboo skewers; 24 each mixed marinated olives (green and black); 24 each cherry tomatoes; 12 each pepperoncini or pickled banana peppers (halved if large); 12 each Italian hot salami (sliced into 12 thin rounds and folded); 12 each small cornichons or gherkins; 12 each fresh basil leaves (medium, torn if large); 12 each truffle pecorino (cut into 12 small cubes, about 1/2" each); 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tsp white truffle oil; 1 tsp mild honey (or acacia honey); 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 0.5 tsp sea salt flakes; 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional, for garnish); 12 each toasted ciabatta slices or crostini; 2 tbs grainy mustard

Inspired by TAO Downtown Restaurant

Time25m

Serves12

Make Antipasto Skewers, Hot Salami & Truffle Pecorino Recipe in just 25m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Skewers & assembly

12 each wooden or bamboo skewers

24 each mixed marinated olives (green and black)

24 each Cherry tomatoes

12 each pepperoncini or pickled banana peppers (halved if large)

12 each Italian hot salami (sliced into 12 thin rounds and folded)

12 each small cornichons or gherkins

12 each fresh basil leaves (medium, torn if large)

12 each truffle pecorino (cut into 12 small cubes, about 1/2" each)

Truffle-honey drizzle & finishing

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp white truffle oil

1 tsp mild honey (or acacia honey)

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp sea salt flakes

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbs finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional, for garnish)

Optional accompaniments

12 each toasted ciabatta slices or crostini

2 tbs grainy mustard

Method

Skewers & assembly

Prepare ingredients

If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes to reduce chance of burning if you plan to briefly char. Rinse and pat dry the olives, cherry tomatoes, and cornichons. Slice truffle pecorino into small 1/2" cubes. Fold each salami slice in half or roll into a small rosette. Remove large stems from basil leaves and tear any very large leaves into medium pieces.

Assemble each skewer in the following order for balance and visual appeal: olive, cherry tomato, folded salami, truffle pecorino cube, pepperoncini half (or whole if small), cornichon, basil leaf tucked near the top. Repeat until you have 12 assembled skewers. Leave about 1" of skewer exposed for handling.

Truffle-honey drizzle & finishing

Make the drizzle: in a small bowl whisk together extra-virgin olive oil (2 tbs), white truffle oil (1 tsp), honey (1 tsp), and lemon juice (1 tsp) until slightly emulsified. Season with sea salt flakes (1/2 tsp) and freshly ground black pepper (1/4 tsp). Taste and adjust: a touch more honey if you prefer sweeter, or more lemon for brightness. If the truffle aroma is strong, reduce truffle oil slightly; if weak, add up to 1/4 tsp more.

Lightly drizzle about 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of the truffle-honey dressing over each completed skewer, holding the bowl and spoon or using a measured squeeze bottle to control flow. Avoid saturating the salami—aim for a glossy finish on the cheese and tomato.

Sprinkle the skewers with finely chopped parsley (1 tbs) if using, then finish with a few flakes of sea salt over the truffle pecorino and a final grind of black pepper.

Optional accompaniments

To serve with crostini: arrange toasted ciabatta slices or crostini on a platter. Place skewers alongside and offer grainy mustard in a small bowl for guests to spread on crostini before placing skewer components on top, if desired.

If you prefer a warm note: briefly (30–45 seconds) char assembled skewers over a medium-hot grill or under a broiler, turning once, until salami edges just begin to crisp and cheese warms slightly. Remove immediately and proceed with the truffle-honey drizzle and finishing steps.