Antoni Porowski’s take on aperitivo is all about keeping things simple, elevated, and effortlessly shareable.
Aperitivo in Italy is so much more than Happy Hour. Aperitivo is a traditional Italian pre-dinner ritual where friends and family gather in the early evening to enjoy light drinks, small snacks, and a lot of conversation. Derived from the Latin word aperire (meaning “to open”), the goal is to stimulate the palate and stomach before the main evening meal, and soften the effects of alcohol.
With more Canadians looking to lean into the easy tradition, former Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski is sharing his take on take on aperitivo. Thankfully, it is all about keeping things simple, elevated, and effortlessly shareable.
Inspired by the Italian ritual of aperitivo, Antoni’s ideal long‑weekend spread comes together with fewer than ten high‑quality ingredients: bresaola, prosciutto, taleggio, parmigiano reggiano, ripe tomatoes, olive oil, fresh thyme, Castelvetrano olives, and cracked black pepper. The result? A crowd‑pleasing board that is perfect for relaxed summer evening with friends and family.
Here are Antoni’s simple tips for creating an easy, and delicious aperitivo in the comfort of your own home.
- Arrange the Taleggio and Parmigiano Reggiano on a board, keeping the cuts clean and the presentation unfussy.
- Fold the prosciutto and gently curl the bresaola, placing them naturally for texture and movement. I like to sample as I assemble.
- Slice the tomatoes and dress lightly with olive oil and thyme. Add to the board.
- Place olives in a small bowl or cluster directly on the board. Have fun with it.
- Finish with cracked black pepper over the tomatoes and cheese.
- Serve immediately with a chilled Peroni.
Setting the scene
Now that you’ve created a delicious aperitivo for friends or family get ready to enjoy. It’s guaranteed to spark conversation and appetite without ruining everyone’s dinner. Keep the atmosphere low-effort and relaxed. Afterall it should feel like a pause in the day.
Finally, remember to keep it to 60 to 90 minutes before dinner. For the real Italian experience your aperitivo would end by 8:00pm or 9:00pm to allow for a later dinner.
Buon appetito.
Antoni has recently partnered with Peroni Nastro Azzurro, to bring a taste of Italian style home. You can follow his journey through Italy on @peroni_ca as he showcases Italian-inspired food culture and modern hosting through simple, quality-driven food moments, like aperitivo and pizza, that bring people together, effortlessly and with style.
