Gourmet Green Olives Recipes

PASTA WITH FETA AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook at a gentle boil until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan or skillet, heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the olives, cooking until they start to blister in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add in the garlic, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds, then let sit uncovered until the pasta is finished.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain the pasta, then return it to the pot over medium-low heat. Pour in the olive mixture, the lemon juice and ¾ cup pasta water, and stir well for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are coated in a smooth, glossy sauce, adding more water if needed. Turn off the heat, stir in the feta and let it soften and melt slightly. Finish with a grind or two of black pepper and a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes, if desired. Season to taste with salt, and serve immediately.

MANCHEGO WITH ALMONDS AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Toss olives with oil, garlic, zest, and bay leaves and marinate, chilled, at least 4 hours.
• Bring olives to room temperature. Discard bay leaves and garlic, then toss olives with cheese and sprinkle almonds on top.

SPAGHETTI WITH CAULIFLOWER, GREEN OLIVES, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pulse olives and parsley in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook cauliflower with salt, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and garlic is golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in water and boil 1 minute. Add olive mixture and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water. Drain in a colander and return to pot.
• Add cauliflower mixture and toss well, then add cheese and toss again. If pasta is dry, moisten with some reserved cooking water.
• Sprinkle pasta with almonds and serve immediately, with additional cheese on the side.