Description
Mediterranean cheese and olive Appetizer blends tangy feta with briny kalamata olives. Fresh herbs and zesty lemon elevate this simple yet sophisticated snack you’ll savor with crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 16 oz (450g) Colby-Jack cheese, cubed
- 12 oz (340g) Kalamata olives, drained
- 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 cup (240 ml) Italian salad dressing
- 6 large garlic cloves, smashed
Instructions
- Cheese Preparation: Slice feta or mozzarella into uniform bite-sized cubes, creating a consistent texture for optimal marinating.
- Olive Selection: Combine chosen mixed olives in a spacious container, preparing for flavor infusion.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, garlic slices, fresh oregano or thyme, and crushed red pepper into a harmonious blend, seasoning with salt and pepper for depth of flavor.
- Layering Process: Gently transfer cheese cubes and olives into a clean glass container, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage with the prepared marinade.
- Citrus Enhancement: Incorporate lemon zest and freshly squeezed juice, delicately folding to distribute bright, tangy notes throughout the mixture.
- Flavor Development: Seal container and refrigerate for 2-8 hours, allowing ingredients to marinate and intensify their combined flavors – longer resting time yields more robust taste profile.
- Serving Preparation: Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing cheese and olives to reach room temperature and release full aromatic potential.
- Presentation: Transfer to an elegant serving dish, garnishing with finely chopped parsley for visual appeal and fresh herbaceous undertones.
- Accompaniment: Serve alongside crusty artisan bread or crisp crackers to complement the rich, tangy marinated delicacies.
Notes
Choose Cheese Wisely: Opt for firm, high-moisture cheeses like feta or mozzarella that absorb marinade beautifully without crumbling or losing texture.
Control Marinating Time: Limit refrigeration to 24 hours maximum to prevent cheese from becoming overly soft or losing its original delicate structure.
Balance Herb Intensity: Use fresh herbs sparingly – oregano and thyme can quickly overpower delicate cheese and olive flavors if added too generously.
Room Temperature Magic: Allowing marinated cheese and olives to sit at room temperature before serving releases complex flavors and softens texture, creating a more enjoyable tasting experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg