Green Olive Tree Recipes

GREEN OLIVE TREE

Steps:

• Mix olives, oil, orange peel, orange juice and marmalade. Cover and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours to blend flavors.
• Press topiary base securely in flowerpot (glue if necessary). Fill pot 2/3 full with rocks. Insert toothpicks into topiary cone; place olives on toothpicks.
• Line top of pot with tissue paper; cover with peanuts.

GREEK-STYLE RIPE OLIVES RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. For this recipe, choose olives that are red to dark red.
• Slash each olive deeply on one side using a very sharp knife to reduce bruising. Place olives in a large stoneware, earthenware, glass, or porcelain container.
• Make a solution of 4 tablespoons salt dissolved in 1-quart water, and pour enough over the olives to cover.
• Weight the olives with a piece of wood or a plastic bag filled with water so that they are completely submerged. Store in a cool place, changing the solution once a week for three weeks.
• If a scum forms on the surface during that time, disregard it until it is time to change the brine; then rinse the olives with fresh water before covering with brine again. The scum is harmless.
• At the end of three weeks, taste one of the largest olives. If it is slightly bitter and a bit tangy, they are done. Pour off the brine and rinse the olives. If the olives are still too bitter, brine again, soaking for another week; then rinse and marinate.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine white wine vinegar , salted water, oregano, lemon wedges, and garlic in a container large enough to hold the olives.
• Add the cured olives and stir to coat in the mixture.
• Add enough​ olive oil to form a 1/4-inch layer on top of the marinating olives (this will act as a seal and barrier). The olives will be ready to eat after sitting in the marinade for just a few days.
• For long-term storage, leave the olives in the marinade and place in a cool pantry or refrigerate, covered. If kept too long, the lemon and vinegar flavors will dominate so eat these within a month after they are ready.

HOW TO USE UP OLIVES

Steps:

• Spicy tomato pasta Jazz up a ready-made tomato and chilli pasta sauce by throwing in black olives, capers and chopped anchovy fillets. Stir through long, thin pasta and sprinkle with chopped basil.
• Quick savoury dip Create a quick tapenade by finely chopping pitted olives and a little garlic. Process until smooth, season, then add olive oil to loosen and lemon juice to taste.
• Crispy bruschetta For a summery bruschetta, crush black olives and cherry tomatoes, and spread onto toasted ciabatta rubbed with garlic. Top with peppery rocket leaves, drizzle with oil and season.
• Simple chicken dish Make a marinade with sliced olives, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and seasoning. Coat chicken thighs and leave for 15 mins. Put in a roasting dish with lemon quarters and rosemary leaves. Roast at 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 for 20 mins. Turn and roast for another 15 mins or until cooked through. Serve with the lemons and juices sprinkled over.
• Mediterranean salad Throw together a quick salad with a bag of baby salad leaves tossed with a light dressing. Add cubes of feta, olives and SunBlush tomatoes. Serve with focaccia or other country bread.
• Easy stuffed tomatoes For an easy, prepare-ahead starter or light lunch, stuff scooped-out tomatoes with cooled, cooked rice flavoured with minced garlic, sliced green olives, chopped tomato, lemon juice, and chopped herbs, such as basil or flat-leaf parsley.
• Mayonnaise with a twist Pit and chop olives, add to ready-made mayonnaise, season and add a splash of lemon juice. Mix well before using as a dip for raw vegetables, or spread in a sandwich with salad leaves and ham or salami.
• Chunky veggie sauce Make a rich and chunky sauce using aubergines, red onion, garlic, courgettes, red pepper and a can of chopped tomatoes. Throw in a handful of olives - great as a side dish or stirred through pasta.
• Quick summer tarts Cut 2 circles from a sheet of puff pastry to make quick pizza bases. Score a border 1cm from the edge, then cover with ready-caramelised onions from a jar or ready-roasted red peppers, and sliced tomatoes. Top with black olives, and anchovy fillets before cooking for 15 mins at 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Main-meal salad Lightly dress salad leaves and arrange on a plate. Top with cooked and cooled French beans and baby new potatoes, black olives, halved cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs cut into quarters and tinned tuna chunks. Season before serving.