Irresistible Olives and Cheese Recipe for Snack Lovers

Combining the rich, briny flavors of Mediterranean olives and creamy cheese creates a mouthwatering appetizer that sparks conversation.

These bite-sized delights blend salty and smooth textures in a perfect harmony.

Fresh ingredients bring this simple yet elegant recipe to life with minimal effort.

The olive and cheese combination offers a versatile snack that works for casual gatherings or sophisticated dinner parties.

Herbs and quality ingredients make all the difference in elevating this classic pairing.

Each olive and cheese morsel delivers a burst of Mediterranean-inspired flavor that will have guests asking for the recipe.

Dive into this delectable treat and experience a culinary moment of pure deliciousness.

Ingredients For Olives And Cheese

• Mixed Olives: Select a vibrant variety that offers different colors and textures, ensuring a rich and complex flavor profile for your Mediterranean spread.
• Olive Oil: Provides a silky coating that helps herbs cling to the olives and enhances their natural richness.
• Lemon Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the olives' saltiness and brings a fresh dimension.
• Rosemary: Infuses an aromatic, piney essence that complements the olives' robust character.
• Thyme: Brings a subtle, earthy undertone that deepens the overall marination flavor.

• Soft Cheese: Choose creamy varieties like brie or goat cheese for a luxurious, spreadable texture.
• Hard Cheese: Select aged options like parmesan or manchego for a sharp, intense flavor contrast.
• Blue Cheese: Adds a tangy, bold element that provides complexity to the cheese board.

• Marinated Artichoke Hearts: Tender and zesty, they introduce a Mediterranean flair to the platter.
• Roasted Red Peppers: Contribute a sweet, smoky element that complements the olives and cheeses.
• Fresh Herbs: Provide a vibrant, green garnish that elevates the visual appeal and adds a final aromatic touch.
• Crackers or Bread: Serve as the perfect vehicle for enjoying the cheeses and marinated ingredients.

Gear To Arrange Olives And Cheese Nicely

• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing and marinating olives with herbs and oil.
• Serving board/platter: Essential for beautifully displaying cheeses and olives.
• Knife: Helpful for cutting and arranging cheeses.
• Zester or grater: Needed to create fresh lemon zest for marinating.
• Spoon: Useful for tossing olives and moving ingredients around the platter.

How To Plate Olives And Cheese In Style

• Olive Flavor Infusion

Gently combine olives with fragrant herbs and zesty citrus in a bowl. Allow the mixture to rest and develop rich, complex flavors while the ingredients mingle and soften.

• Cheese Selection Landscape

Create an inviting display by arranging different cheese varieties across a beautiful wooden board. Consider varying textures and colors for visual appeal.

• Mediterranean Accent Placement

Enhance the platter with colorful accompaniments like roasted peppers, tender artichoke hearts, and other vibrant Mediterranean delicacies. Distribute these elements thoughtfully to create an artistic composition.

• Herbal Flourish and Presentation

Sprinkle fresh herbs generously across the platter, adding a burst of green and aromatic freshness. Serve alongside crispy bread or delicate crackers for a complete sensory experience.

Flavor Matches For Olives And Cheese Pairings

• Flavor Boost Tricks: Gently crush herbs before adding to olives to release their essential oils and intensify the aromatic profile.
• Olive Marination Magic: Allow olives to sit at room temperature during marination to help them absorb herbs and oil more effectively, creating deeper flavor layers.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Replace dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives like cashew or almond-based cheese for vegan guests, ensuring everyone enjoys the Mediterranean spread.
• Storage Wisdom: Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, letting flavors continue developing and intensifying over time.
• Texture and Temperature Tip: Remove cheese and olives from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to enhance taste and achieve perfect spreadable consistency for maximum enjoyment.

Serving Olives And Cheese With Ease

• Mediterranean Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning appetizer spread that wows guests with vibrant colors and textures.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Match this olive and cheese platter with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or light Mediterranean rosés for a perfect flavor balance.
• Rustic Entertaining Style: Spread ingredients casually on a wooden board, letting guests enjoy a relaxed, self-serve experience that encourages conversation and shared enjoyment.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Strategically place different cheese types and olives to create visual interest, mixing soft and hard cheeses with varied olive colors for an appetizing presentation.

How To Store Olives And Cheese The Smart Way

• Quick Refrigeration Magic: Store marinated olives in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and flavorful in the refrigerator's coolest section.
• Cheese Care Strategy: Wrap individual cheese types in wax paper or specialized cheese paper, storing them separately to maintain their unique textures and prevent flavor mixing.
• Smart Platter Planning: Assemble the olive and cheese board no more than 1-2 hours before serving to ensure optimal taste and presentation, preventing ingredients from becoming soggy or losing their vibrant appearance.
• Temperature Harmony: Remove cheeses from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving, allowing them to reach room temperature and develop richer, more complex flavors that enhance the overall tasting experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 0 kcal

Servings: 7

Rustic Olives And Cheese Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Mediterranean olive and cheese appetizers bring bold Mediterranean flavors to your table. Salty olives, creamy cheeses, and herbal notes create a perfect starter for casual gatherings with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup sharp cheddar, cubed
• 1 cup Gouda or Havarti, cubed
• ½ cup feta or small mozzarella balls (bocconcini), crumbled
• ¼ cup Parmesan, shards
• 1 cup mixed olives (green, black, Kalamata, or Castelvetrano)
• ¼ cup artichoke hearts, marinated
• ¼ cup red peppers, roasted, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp rosemary, fresh, finely chopped
• 1 tsp thyme leaves, fresh
• Herbs, fresh (rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
• Crackers, baguette slices, or breadsticks

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Instructions

1. Olive Infusion: Blend mixed olives with olive oil, lemon zest, rosemary, and thyme in a mixing bowl. Marinate for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
2. Cheese Arrangement: Select a serving board and artfully arrange diverse cheese varieties, showcasing their unique textures and color variations for visual appeal.
3. Platter Composition: Distribute marinated olives across the board, strategically placing them around the cheeses. Integrate marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers to create a Mediterranean-inspired landscape with layered flavors and textures.
4. Herbal Garnish: Delicately scatter fresh herb sprigs over the entire platter, adding a vibrant and aromatic dimension that elevates the sensory experience.
5. Serving Suggestion: Present alongside crisp crackers or rustic bread, encouraging guests to craft personalized flavor combinations and interactive dining moments.

Notes

• Marinate with Precision: Let olives soak in the infusion for at least 15 minutes to ensure maximum flavor penetration and aromatic depth.
• Cheese Placement Strategy: Arrange cheeses in varying heights and clusters to create visual interest and encourage guests to explore different textures.
• Herb Freshness Matters: Use freshly picked herbs right before serving to maintain their vibrant color and release maximum aromatic oils.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Offer gluten-free crackers or alternative bread options to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions while maintaining the Mediterranean essence.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg