Description
Mediterranean olives and cheese bring rustic charm to your table, dancing with tangy flavors and Mediterranean spirit. Savor each bite of this simple yet elegant appetizer that connects tradition with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar
- 1 cup cubed Gouda or Havarti
- ½ cup crumbled feta or small mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- ¼ cup Parmesan shards
Olives and Accompaniments:
- 1 cup mixed olives (green, black, Kalamata, or Castelvetrano)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup marinated artichoke hearts
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers, sliced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Garnish and Serving:
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
- Crackers, baguette slices, or breadsticks
Instructions
- Prepare a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired olive medley by gently combining mixed olives with fragrant olive oil, zesty lemon zest, aromatic rosemary, and earthy thyme in a small mixing vessel. Allow the olives to luxuriate in these flavors for a minimum of 15 minutes, ensuring maximum flavor infusion.
- Select a spacious serving board or elegant platter as your canvas, strategically positioning various cheese varieties to create visual appeal and textural diversity.
- Carefully transfer the marinated olives into a complementary small bowl or artfully distribute them across the platter’s landscape, creating an inviting presentation.
- Enhance the culinary tableau by incorporating additional Mediterranean delicacies such as tender marinated artichoke hearts and richly roasted red peppers, filling any remaining spaces with colorful, flavorful accompaniments.
- Complete the composition by delicately garnishing the platter with fresh, verdant herbs, imparting a final touch of sophistication and natural beauty.
- Provide an assortment of crisp crackers or rustic bread alongside the platter, inviting guests to explore and savor the harmonious blend of Mediterranean flavors.
Notes
- Gently massage herbs into olives to enhance flavor absorption and release aromatic oils.
- Choose room temperature cheeses for optimal taste and smooth spreading texture.
- Select varied cheese textures like soft brie, hard parmesan, and creamy goat cheese to create interesting flavor profiles.
- Prep platter ingredients ahead of time and allow olives to marinate for deeper Mediterranean-inspired taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg