Description
Mediterranean olive and cheese appetizer blends tangy olives with creamy cheese for a perfect starter. Guests will savor complex flavors and enjoy simple Mediterranean ingredients that complement each other beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 olives, mixed (green, black, Kalamata, or Castelvetrano)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup artichoke hearts, marinated
- ¼ cup red peppers, roasted, sliced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp rosemary, fresh, finely chopped
- 1 tsp thyme leaves, fresh
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or parsley) for garnish
- Crackers, baguette slices, or breadsticks for serving
Instructions
- Marinate: Blend mixed olives with olive oil, lemon zest, rosemary, and thyme in a mixing bowl. Allow flavors to meld for 15 minutes, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
- Arrange Cheese: Create an artistic display on a serving board, positioning various cheese types to maximize visual and textural contrast.
- Place Accompaniments: Gently transfer marinated olives into a small dish or scatter across the platter. Intersperse marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers to fill empty spaces, creating a vibrant Mediterranean landscape.
- Finalize Presentation: Sprinkle fresh herbs over the platter, adding a verdant, aromatic finish. Serve with an assortment of crackers or crusty bread to complement the robust flavors.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Allow olives to soak for at least 15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and create a more complex taste profile.
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a variety of textures and milk types (soft, hard, goat, cow) to provide a diverse and interesting cheese experience.
- Herb Freshness Counts: Use freshly picked herbs instead of dried to enhance the visual appeal and deliver a more vibrant, aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Temperature Technique: Serve cheeses at room temperature to unlock their full flavor potential and ensure optimal texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg