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A deli platter showcasing a variety of salami slices, crackers, olives, and cherry tomatoes, elegantly arranged on a white plate.

Crafting the Ultimate Antipasti Sharing Plate with Swiss Deli Delights

Picture a rustic wooden table groaning beneath an array of vibrant colours, textures, and enticing aromas, hinting at the tastes you are about to indulge in.  

Online Meats invites you to gather your friends and family around the table to enjoy the ultimate antipasti sharing platter. The much-loved Mediterranean tradition of antipasti lays out a tempting spread of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and more to awaken the senses and pave the way for an unforgettable meal. 

With Swiss Deli's delicious range of products now available at Online Meats, you can effortlessly bring the taste of the heart of the Alps to your table without even leaving the house. 

The Art of Antipasti

Antipasti is not just about food; it is a celebration of life, family, and being together. Originating in mediaeval Italy, the word "antipasto" has Latin roots with "anti" meaning "before" and "pastus," relating to a meal. This "before meal" tradition encourages shared experiences and conversation and hints at the enjoyment ahead.

The combination of flavours in an antipasti platter should cover all facets of taste, from sweet to salty to sour to bitter to umami. These are heightened by the varying colours and textures on the platter, all setting the stage for the dining experience to follow.

An antipasti platter is an appetiser, so the individual elements should be small and light. It is also a quick and easy dish to prepare by simply arranging ingredients on a platter and letting the beautiful colours and flavours do the presentation work for you.

Swiss Deli's Finest Selection

Since 1982, Swiss Deli has used traditional European recipes and production methods to manufacture artisanal continental-style delicatessen meats and smallgoods.  

From the spicy kick of the Spanish chorizo to the delicately flavoured champagne ham, Online Meats is delighted to bring this authentic taste of Europe to your place. Starting your meal the European way is as easy as heaping your favourite platter with delicious tidbits like the Hunter pork stick - a smoked, dried and full-bodied salami-style sausage made from select cuts of New Zealand pork - and the alpine salami's rich aroma will whet appetites for what is to come.

Building Your Antipasti Plate

The rules for creating the perfect antipasti platter are … there are no rules! Create your antipasti platter based on the ingredients you and your guests will love.  

Generally, an antipasti platter will include charcuterie, cheese, dips, raw, pickled or roasted vegetables, olives, nuts and fruits. It is a good idea to consider combinations, foods that will complement each other. For example, speck (a lightly smoked ham) goes beautifully with gherkins or other pickled vegetables. Or a coarse liver pate is delicious with crusty bread or crisp vegetable sticks.

As long as you have included a variety of textures and tastes on your antipasti platter, your guests will be free to create their own delicious combinations.

Sitting Pretty - Antipasti Presentation Tips

A beautiful-looking antipasti platter almost takes care of itself, but here are a few tips to keep in mind for a platter that looks as good as it tastes.

Platters matters 

Choose the right-sized platter for the occasion. If you only have a few guests, a platter that is too large will look sparse and ungenerous. Similarly, a platter that is too small will end up a mess. A classic white platter lets the colours of the food pop. A wooden platter offers rustic charm.

Colours and contrasts 

Consider the colours and shapes of the foods you will place on your platter. Variety will add interest and appeal. 

What goes where

Use small bowls or ramekins for oily or wet ingredients like olives and dips. Crostini sticks can be placed vertically in a cup or bowl to create height. 

Fill the gaps 

After you have arranged your Swiss Deli charcuterie, fill the gaps in the platter with other ingredients like bread or vegetables.

Garnish 

A few snips of herbs from your garden make a pretty garnish, with herbs like rosemary and thyme adding a delicious aroma.

Pairing With Beverages

What goes well with an antipasti platter besides good company? A perfectly paired drink, of course.  

Bubbles are always a fun way to start a soirée and a dry and bubbly wine like Prosecco is an excellent choice to enjoy with your antipasti. Rosé pairs beautifully with prosciutto or a delicately-flavoured ham. And it is not just wine; a crisp Czech pilsner enhances the sweetness of roasted red peppers, or you can enjoy a rye pale ale with a few slices of salami

For the non-drinkers, the sparkle of a refreshing glass of San Pellegrino mineral water or soda is the ideal Italian amigo.

An antipasti platter is an easy, but impressive, way to entertain, setting the scene for your guests with a promise of a magical meal ahead. With Swiss Deli's exquisite range of products now available through Online Meats' convenient delivery service, creating the perfect antipasti sharing plate has never been easier. Gather your friends and family, as well as some quality ingredients. And remember to get some photos. We would love to see your antipasti creation on Online Meats' Facebook page or tag @onlinemeats.co.nz on Instagram.

Mona Boon
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Different types of raw meat - beef, pork, lamb, chicken on a wooden board.

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Meat Box for Your Family

“What should I make for dinner?” A question asked in most Kiwi households every day. Online Meats have the answer with delicious, fresh meat boxes.

Using only quality ingredients, Online Meats curate a a convenient selection of meats, then box them up, ready to be delivered to your place. Our meat boxes save you time, money and having to think about what to make for dinner.

Which Meat Box is Best For You?

All of the meat in Online Meats’ Meat Boxes is freshly cut to order by our own in-house master butchers using only the finest New Zealand beef, lamb, pork and chicken. There are convenient pre-packaged selections to suit your household, budget and lifestyle.

Weeknight Dinners Made Easy

The 5 Nighter Meat Box is perfect for two people to enjoy five tasty weeknight dinners. With a good selection of meats, it dishes up value and variety.

Celebrate summer

The Summer BBQ Meat Box is a party in a box full of delicious barbecue-ready cuts. Just add cold drinks and tomato sauce, fire up the barbie and you have a great value, guaranteed good time with your family or friends.

Feed the Family

The Feed the Family meat box is just what it says… on the box. Featuring a range of different proteins at a great price, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Big Tastes For Smaller Budgets

The Big Budget Meat Box should probably instead be called the “Small Budget Mix Box”. Dishing up a satisfying 9.6 kilos of meat, the Big Budget Meat Box is fantastic value for money for the bigger family or just to fill up the freezer.

Meat Boxes to Meet Your Needs

Online Meats’ meat boxes make buying meat so convenient. No need to shop around (or even leave your lounge chair!) and no need to wonder which meat represents the best buy at any given time. Online Meats think for you. All you have to do is choose the package that suits your household’s size, preferences and cooking style, knowing you will receive the best of what is seasonably available at the best price.

Quality and Freshness That’s Out of the Box

When you buy one of our meat boxes, you can be sure of the freshness, quality and ethical sourcing standards Online Meats is committed to. We are a proudly certified NZ Beef & Lamb Retailer with over 25 years of experience and history in the meat industry. There are over 50 butchery staff on site. We process our meat cuts from carcasses, ensuring optimal quality and freshness in every meat box we deliver.

Meat That Meets Your Standards

Hundreds of Kiwi households enjoy the quality and convenience of Online Meats’ meat boxes and the exceptional value they offer.

Aroha is a self-proclaimed “Happy as customer”, explaining, “I’d been ordering meat up and down NZ before I came here. The shipping is really affordable and really well packed with ice packs. Hooked on the steaks and good quality meat. Slightly cheaper than the other places I shopped, so I am a weekly online shopper. Thanks very much, guys. I recommend with AA+++ Good customer service. Kapai!

Explore our curated range of meat boxes and make meal planning at your place easy.

Adele Murphy
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Beef steaks on the grill with flames

Online Meats' Favourite Meat Cuts for the Summer BBQ Season

Make your summer BBQs unforgettable with Online Meats' top picks for the season! From succulent Angus Beef Sirloin Steaks to flavourful Pork Scotch Steaks, juicy Chicken Drumsticks, exotic Lamb Loin Chops, and ready-to-grill Angus Beef Patties
Stan Murphy
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Beef Wellington, classic steak dish on rustic wooden table

A Perfect Beef Wellington Recipe with Angus Beef Eye Round

Elevate your dining experience with the culinary masterpiece known as Beef Wellington. This classic dish, wrapped in golden puff pastry and filled with succulent beef, mushrooms and a rich duxelles, promises to impress all guests. 
Mona Boon
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Free Range Chicken Alla Diavola Recipe

Free Range Chicken Alla Diavola Recipe

Chicken Alla Diavola is best enjoyed hot and fresh from the grill, served with a side of your choice, such as a crisp salad or grilled vegetables.
Stan Murphy
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Traditional Turkish Ravioli Recipe

Traditional Turkish Ravioli Recipe

‘Manti’ is also known as Turkish Ravioli, meaty parcels made with our delicious Premium Beef Topside Mince and Eastern European flavours set to ignite your tastebuds with something new. Here’s how to make it.
Adele Murphy
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Salisbury steaks in Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steaks in Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steak gets its name from Doctor James Henry Salisbury who served this to the soldiers in the Civil War. It is actually not a steak but is basically seasoned meat patties formed into the shape of steaks. It It is economical, packs a flavor punch and an easy 30 minute meal that never disappoints!

Ingredients

For the steaks

1 packet of Genuine Angus Beef Patties
1/3 cup of breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 minced garlic glove

For the Gravy

2 tbsp of olive oil
2 tbsp of flour
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup of sliced mushroom
1 brown onion, sliced
2 cups of beef stock

Steps

Mix all the ingredients for the steaks until well combined. Form into 4 round patties, each about 2cm thick.

Brown the patties in a skillet, about 1 minute each side (it should still be raw inside). Remove from the skillet and place on a plate for later.

Add the mushroom and onion in the skillet, cook until soften, then add in the flour and mix well. Add a bit more oil if needed.

Pour the stock and the Worcestershire sauce in, stir until no lump to be seen. Then, add the steaks and simmer until gravy is thickened to your desired consistency.

Serve with mashed potato, roasted vegetables or over the rice!

Tips

Browning the steaks to then finishing them in the gravy creates a more flavorful taste to the dish.

Butter can be used for a more fragrant buttery smell.

Happy Trying!

Online, On Time, On Budget

Mona Boon
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Caramelized Pork Belly Skewers

Caramelized Pork Belly Skewers

This recipe reminds me so much about the grilled pork skewers that we can see from every corner of Bangkok, Thailand; the locals called it "moo ping". Made with thin slices of pork belly, the ratio of the fat and the lean meat is balanced out, which leave you with the urge to try one more bite. It is sweet, salty, addictive, and nostalgic! 

Ingredients

 

1 kg of pork belly, sliced into about 3-4 cm long and 1cm thick
1 cup of maple syrup
¼ cup of oyster sauce
¼ cup of fish sauce
¼ cup of soy sauce
3 cloves of garlic, minced

Steps

Mix all the ingredients except for the sliced pork belly until well combined.

Pour the mixture over and mix well again, making sure every piece of pork is covered in the marinade. Marinade for at least 1 hour, for best result, marinade overnight.

Thread the pork slice onto the skewer, about 3-4 pieces of pork in a skewer.

Grill the skewers with a griller, turn often to prevent being burnt, and brush on additional marinade, until cooked. This will take about 20-30 minutes.

Serve with rice, salad or on its own!

Tips

 

 

This recipe can be prepared with an oven, air-fryer or over the frying pan.

Enhance the flavor with a wedge of lemon or lime.

Fish sauce can be omitted in case of crustacean allergic reaction.

Mona Boon
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Our Mighty Mexican Birria Recipe

Our Mighty Mexican Birria Recipe

Take your tastebuds to South America with our Original Mexican Birria Recipe made with our Angus Beef Brisket Point End, delivered conveniently to your door. Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originates from the state of Jalisco, known for its rich flavours and tender meat. Whether making with traditional beef or making it alternatively with lamb or pork, birria is the perfect choice to satisfy your taste buds.
Mona Boon
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Slow Roasted Lamb Leg

Slow Roasted Lamb Leg

This slow-roasted lamb leg is easy to prepare, and leave you with plenty of time to make other dishes! The cooked lamb leg is juicy, succulent and melt in your mouth, so heavenly good that you don't actually need other dishes!
Mona Boon
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Homemade Chimichurri Steak ‘n’ Sauce

Homemade Chimichurri Steak ‘n’ Sauce

The only thing better than our grass-fed New Zealand beef is when it is served with homemade chimichurri sauce. Find your new favourite dish with our easy-to-follow recipe to cook today.
Adele Murphy
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Our Mighty Mince and Cheese Pie Recipe

Our Mighty Mince and Cheese Pie Recipe

Make a flavoursome mince and cheese pie with premium Angus Beef mince that is 100% New Zealand grass-fed. Perfect for any time or place, nothing makes us feel as warm as a homemade pie.
Dane Bonnici
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