10 minutes
Treat yourself to a delightful Mediterranean-inspired snack with these herb-infused warm olives. This simple yet elegant dish brings a burst of flavors with every bite, perfect for entertaining or as a quick treat.
Assorted Olives With Pits, rinsed and drained
cups
teaspoons
Garlic Clove, peeled and quartered
each
Fresh Chile
each
Thyme Or Savory Sprigs
sprigs
Orange Or Lemon Zest Strips
0.25 strips
1. Rinse and Drain Olives
Start by giving your olives a quick rinse under cold water. This step is crucial as it refreshes their flavor and prepares them for the infusion process. Once rinsed, let them drain in a strainer until you’re ready to use them.
2. Warm the Olive Oil
Next, warm your olive oil in a small, heavy pan over medium heat. You don’t need much time here—just enough to get the oil warm and ready to absorb the herbs and spices.
3. Infuse the Olives
Add the drained olives, quartered garlic clove, chile, thyme or savory sprigs, and strips of zest to the pan. Let everything cook together for about 5 minutes. During this time, the heat will help the olives soak up the aromatic flavors of the garlic, herbs, and citrus zest, creating a perfectly infused snack. You’ll know it’s ready when the olives are warm and glistening.
4. Rest and Serve
Once the olives are heated through, turn off the heat and let them sit in the warm pan for a few minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together even more.
5. Transfer and Enjoy
Finally, transfer the warm, fragrant olives to a serving dish and enjoy them right away. They’re best served warm but still delicious at room temperature.
Add zest from a lemon, lime, or orange to infuse a bright, citrusy note to your olives. This can complement the herbs beautifully and add a fresh aroma that's particularly appealing in warmer months.
Introduce a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, a small diced chili, or a teaspoon of harissa paste for those who enjoy a bit of heat. The spicy kick can revitalize the palate and pairs well with the richness of the olives.
Crumble some feta or goat cheese over the warm olives before serving. The creaminess and tang of the cheese will provide a lovely contrast to the salty olives and aromatic herbs.
A few drops of liquid smoke or smoked paprika can lend a smoky flavor to the olives, which is especially delightful in the fall or winter months.
Toast some pine nuts, sliced almonds, or crushed walnuts and sprinkle them over the olives just before serving. The nuts will add a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the olives and herbs.
Select high-quality, mixed Mediterranean olives such as Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or Niçoise from a deli or specialty store for the best flavor and texture.
Infuse the olives gently over low to medium-low heat to release the flavors without frying the herbs or making the olives mushy.
Use fresh sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a brighter and more vibrant flavor, ensuring they are clean and dry to prevent splattering in oil.
Before serving, taste an olive and adjust the seasoning with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, or flaky sea salt as needed.
Allow olives to infuse for at least 20 minutes off the heat. For deeper flavors, marinate overnight and serve at room temperature.
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