Warm Imported Olive Appetizer Recipes

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

WARM CITRUS-MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Blanch the olives for about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the olives to a medium bowl. Toss with the tangerine pieces and lemon zest.
• In a small skillet, combine the olive oil, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, garlic and red pepper flakes. Warm gently over medium heat until small bubbles form around the herbs and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer gently until the garlic is beginning to brown and the bubbles start to subside, about 7 minutes. Pour the hot oil over the olive mixture and toss well to coat.
• Allow the olives to marinate at room temperature for 2 hours, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days; warm gently before serving.

HOT CHEESE OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the butter until creamy in a large mixing bowl, add the cheese and mix well. Stir in the flour, salt, cayenne and the Worcestershire and mix until smooth. Beat the egg with 2 tablespoons cold water. Add to the dough and mix just until incorporated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove the dough and flatten out a piece about the size of a walnut into a thin round. Place an olive on top and shape it around the olive, pinching to repair any breaks. Place it on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and olives. Bake until the dough sets, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

WARMED SPICED OLIVES

Steps:

• Toast fennel seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest, bay leaves, olives, oil, and Aleppo pepper and cook, stirring, until just warmed through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm.

WARM IMPORTED OLIVE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Rinse and drain the olives well.
• In 3 separate, small oven proof pans divide the olives up and toss with the olive oil.
• Add the spicy ingredients to one pan, the zesty mixtures to the next and finally the zingy olive ingredients to the last pan. Toss to coat.
• Bake approximately 15-25 minutes.
• Transfer to divided serving platter.