Description
Creamy Mediterranean olive dip emerges as a perfect appetizer for gatherings. Salty olives and smooth cream cheese combine to create an irresistible starter you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 oz (226 g) full fat sour cream, room temperature
- 8 oz (226 g) shredded mozzarella, divided
- 2 oz (57 g) shredded Parmesan, divided
- 1 (6 oz/170 g) can pitted medium black olives, halved or sliced
- 1 (6 oz/170 g) can pitted green olives, halved or sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Whisk sour cream, cream cheese, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth and fully blended.
- Olive Integration: Fold black and green olives into the creamy base, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
- Baking Dish Setup: Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cheese Layering: Pour the olive-cheese mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the surface and topping with additional mozzarella and Parmesan for a luxurious cheese crust.
- Oven Transformation: Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until heated through and edges begin to bubble, then broil for 1-2 minutes to create a golden, crispy top.
- Resting and Finishing: Allow the dip to rest for 2-3 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley to enhance visual appeal and add a fresh herbal note.
- Serving Suggestion: Present immediately with sliced French baguette, inviting guests to indulge in this warm, decadent appetizer.
Notes
- Cheese Selection: Use freshly grated cheeses for superior melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Olive Preparation: Drain olives thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dip watery and compromising texture.
- Broiling Caution: Monitor closely during the final 1-2 minutes to prevent burning, as cheese can quickly transition from golden to charred.
- Serving Suggestion: Warm dip creates optimal taste and texture, so serve immediately after removing from oven for maximum enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 296
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg