A strikingly simple appetizer, Crudites Served with a Dijon Mustard-Olive Oil is one of the most memorable antipasti that we enjoyed while in Italy.  I remember Scott and I walking into a quaint Ristorante right off of the central canal in Venice for a late dinner one night.  And to my shock and utter delight, we were greeted with something other than the traditional bread basket or serving of bread sticks! A gorgeous presentation of a variety of raw vegetables, organized beautifully in a clear glass, served alongside a bowl of tangy Dijon mustard covered in olive oil.

So fresh, so simple, so tasty.  This appetizer is my new favorite go-to appetizers—any fresh vegetables will do, but my favorite combination includes red pepper, fennel, asparagus, wax beans and baby carrots.  That is the combination served to us in Venice, so just like every other memory from our trip, it’s a hard one to erase.

Tagged: antipasti, cruidites, Dijon mustard, Italian, Italy, olive oil, raw vegetables