Marinated olives
Marinated olives are a vibrant appetizer featuring a blend of zesty lemon and orange, aromatic garlic, and fresh thyme. This simple recipe involves marinating the olives in olive oil for enhanced flavour and a Mediterranean touch.
Cook time 0 min
Prep time 250 min
Ingredients:
1 cup olives2 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp orange zest
2 garlic cloves
1 cup scallions
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp fresh thyme
Marinated olives are a delightful and flavorful appetizer or snack that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table. This simple recipe combines olives with zesty citrus, aromatic garlic, and fresh thyme, all marinated in rich olive oil. Perfect for entertaining or enjoying with a glass of wine, these marinated olives are sure to impress your guests.
Instructions:
- Rinse the olives under cold water and drain well.
- Zest the lemon and orange to collect the required amount.
- Finely mince the garlic cloves.
- Finely slice the scallions.
- Strip the thyme leaves from their stems to measure out the required amount.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the olives, lemon zest, orange zest, minced garlic, sliced scallions, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the olive mixture, ensuring all the ingredients are well-coated.
- Gently toss the mixture to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with olive oil.
- Transfer the olive mixture to a clean, airtight container.
- Allow the olives to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld together. For best results, marinate overnight.
- Before serving, bring the marinated olives to room temperature to enhance their flavors.
- Serve as an appetizer, snack, or part of an antipasto platter.
And there you have it – a simple yet flavorful recipe for marinated olives. This dish can be made ahead of time and is perfect for parties, adding a burst of Mediterranean flavor to your snacks spread. Enjoy these marinated olives as a stand-alone appetizer, or pair them with cheese and crackers to elevate your dining experience.
Marinated olives FAQ:
For best flavor, marinate the olives in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. However, letting them marinate overnight is ideal for deeper flavor integration.
Yes, you can use a mix of different olives such as Kalamata, green olives, or Castelvetrano based on your preference. Just ensure they are pitted to avoid any inconvenience.
Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for up to a week; however, their flavor may continue to develop over time.
These olives pair well with cheeses, crusty bread, crackers, or as part of an antipasto platter. They also complement wine or cocktails nicely.
If the olives are too salty, you can rinse them under cold water before marinating or mix in additional ingredients like lemon juice or herbs to balance the flavor.
Cooking Tips:
- 1. For added complexity, try using a mix of different olive varieties.
- 2. Make sure to let the olives marinate for at least 24 hours; longer marination will enhance the flavors even more.
- 3. Experiment with additional herbs like rosemary or oregano if you desire a different flavor profile.
- 4. Use good quality olive oil for the best taste – it makes a significant difference.
- 5. If you prefer a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes or whole peppercorns to the marinade.
Nutrition Facts
8 ServingsCalories 40kcal
Protein 0.44g
Carbohydrates 2.49g
Fiber 0.86g
Sugar 0.37g
Fat 11g
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