the last days of 2019 are just flying by! seriously can’t catch my breath much less think about elaborate holiday meals. by this point in the year (read, less than a week before christmas and less than two weeks left until the end of the year), everything food related has to be quick and easy. enter the most delicious and easiest appetizer there could be: citrus marinated olives. these are perfect for gathering/grazing boards, a quick snack or as a holiday appetizer. although, they are so easy to make, i may have them just because! so what do you need?
- an assomment of olives (with pits hold up better for cooking)
- good quality olive oil
- garlic cloves
- chili flakes and/or fresh thyme
- lemon and/or citrus peels
- good quality feta (spring for the one packed in the brine)
that’s it. yep. that’s really all you need. well, bread or crackers for dipping, but that’s all you need for one of the most delicious treats you’ll not be able to stop eating! when i made this for my family, it was gone in less than 10 minutes, which incidentally is as long as it takes to make! so level up your regular olives, toast up some bread, open a bottle of your favorite spirit, and enjoy! – megs
citrus marinated olives + feta
Equipment
- medium sauce pan
Ingredients
- 8 oz assorted olives with the pits
- 3/4 c olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3-4 lemon peels
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 2-3 sprigs thyme, optional
- 6 oz feta cheese (in the brine), corasely torn into chunks
- toasted bread or crackers for dipping
Instructions
- Gently smash the olives. Combine olives, garlic, olive oil, citrus peels, and chili flakes or thyme in a medium sauce pan. Heat over medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until the edges of the garlic are golden. Olive mixture should also be very aromatic. Remove from heat and cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Place feta chunks in a serving bowl. Pour slightly cooled marinated olives over the feta. If less oil is desired, use a slotted spoon to do this. Serve with crusty bread or crackers and your preferred spirit.
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