Description
Ina Garten’s marinated olives blend Mediterranean flavors with elegant simplicity. Rich herbal notes and zesty citrus infuse classic olives, creating a sophisticated appetizer perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a quick, flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Olives:
- 2 cups (11 ounces) large green olives with pits, such as Cerignola
- 2 cups (11 ounces) large black olives with pits, such as Kalamata
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons whole fennel seeds
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
- Zest of 1 orange, peeled in large strips
- ⅔ cup good olive oil
Instructions
- Carefully drain the green and black olives from their brine or oil into a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring no excess liquid remains.
- Incorporate finely grated orange zest, minced garlic, crushed fennel seeds, freshly chopped thyme leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the olives.
- Sprinkle of kosher salt and of freshly ground black pepper over the olive mixture.
- Gently add whole thyme sprigs and extra virgin olive oil to the bowl, carefully folding all ingredients to ensure even coating.
- Select a 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) sauté pan and pour in a thin layer of olive oil, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Transfer the seasoned olive mixture into the pan, spreading it in a single layer to maximize heat distribution.
- Place the pan over medium-low heat, allowing the ingredients to warm slowly and release their aromatic oils.
- Gently stir the olives every minute, preventing garlic from burning and ensuring even heating for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat when the olives become fragrant and are thoroughly warmed through.
- Serve immediately in the pan or transfer to a decorative serving dish, placing a small side dish nearby for olive pits.
Notes
- Select premium, plump olives with pits to ensure a rich, authentic Mediterranean taste experience.
- Experiment with heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, creating a personalized spice profile that matches your palate.
- Give the olives time to absorb the vibrant marinade, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over several hours or a full night.
- Elevate the presentation by choosing a beautiful serving dish that showcases the glossy, herb-infused olives with a sophisticated flair.
- Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll continue to develop depth and complexity for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg