Pin it I first saw the Infinity Loop at a gallery opening—not a dinner party, but an actual art gallery where a friend was serving appetizers. There it was on a marble table, this impossible figure-eight of deep red salami spiraling between two bowls of golden nuts, and I remember thinking it was too beautiful to eat. Then someone broke the loop, grabbed a handful, and suddenly everyone was reaching for it. That's when I realized the real magic wasn't just in how it looked, but in how it invited people to play with their food.
The first time I made this for my own dinner party, I arranged the salami so carefully, layer by layer, that I completely stressed myself out. My partner walked in, took one look at my intense concentration, and said, "It's not brain surgery." They were right. The moment I loosened up and let the slices overlap naturally instead of perfectly, it actually looked better. That's when I learned that the Infinity Loop isn't about precision—it's about confidence and flow.
Ingredients
- High-quality salami, 24 thin slices (about 150 g): This is where everything starts. Thin slices mean you can arrange them without them getting too heavy or crumbly, and quality matters because you're tasting it directly—no cooking to hide behind. I learned the hard way that the stuff from the deli counter is worth the extra cost.
- Roasted mixed nuts, 2 cups total (240 g): Split these between two bowls to create the anchor points for your figure-eight. The roasting brings out sweetness that balances the salt of the salami beautifully.
- Fresh herbs for garnish (rosemary or thyme sprigs, optional): These add color and release their aroma when guests reach for the food, which is more practical than purely decorative.
- Crackers or breadsticks (optional): They give guests structure if they want it, though honestly, most people skip them and just use their hands.
Instructions
- Set the stage with two bowls:
- Place your bowls about 12 inches apart on a large platter or board. Fill each one with a cup of mixed nuts, spreading them so they look abundant but not spilling everywhere. This spacing gives you room to create your figure-eight without feeling cramped.
- Build your infinity loop:
- Start arranging your salami slices in one continuous figure-eight pattern, weaving between and around both bowls. Slightly overlap each slice as you go—this is what makes it look seamless and intentional, not scattered. Think of it like drawing with your hands, where each slice is a brushstroke.
- Add color and aroma:
- Tuck a few herb sprigs around the salami for visual contrast and because their scent adds something guests don't expect in an appetizer.
- Finish and serve:
- If you're including crackers or breadsticks, arrange them so they're easy to grab. Bring it to the table and encourage people to grab both the salami and nuts together—that combination is really where the magic happens.
Pin it What surprised me most about serving this was watching it become a conversation piece. People didn't just eat it—they photographed it, pointed out the figure-eight to each other, and made jokes about infinity and snacking. It stopped being just food and became something that made everyone at the table feel a little more clever and a little more playful.
Choosing Your Salami
The type of salami you choose completely changes the mood of this appetizer. I've done this with spicy salami when I wanted to wake people up, fennel-forward varieties for something more delicate, and even peppered salami for earthiness. The best part is that people often taste the difference and start asking where you got it, which makes you look like you know something about food—even though you literally just unwrapped something beautiful.
Making It Work for Different Diets
If you have vegetarian guests, replace the salami with marinated grilled vegetables—thinly sliced zucchini, eggplant, or roasted red peppers work beautifully in the same weaving pattern. For a gluten-free version, just skip the crackers and check your salami label. The nuts are naturally gluten-free, so you're most of the way there already. I've also substituted the nuts with olives or dried fruits depending on what I had on hand, and honestly, each version feels like its own thing.
- Spicy salami creates energy; mild varieties create calm—pick based on your party's vibe.
- Make sure any substitutions are equally thin and drapy so the visual effect stays intact.
- Allergen-checking is crucial here since nuts, meat, and sometimes salami's hidden ingredients can catch people off guard.
Pairing and Presentation
This works with dry white wine, light reds, or sparkling wine—basically anything that cuts through the richness of the cured meat and nuts without overpowering them. The presentation matters as much as the flavors here; I've learned that setting this on a really good board or platter makes people take it more seriously, even though it only took you fifteen minutes. The shape itself is what makes it memorable, so lean into that.
Pin it The Infinity Loop taught me that the best appetizers aren't about complexity—they're about giving people permission to have fun. This one does exactly that.