Elevate your appetizer game with the vibrant and robust Marinated Feta and Green Olives. This recipe transforms feta cheese and briny green olives into a flavorful and chunky centerpiece that demands attention on any cheese board or gathering. The infusion of cumin seeds, orange zest, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes creates a marinade that bursts with complexity and brightness. With a touch of warming and toasting, the marinade deeply enriches the flavors before easily infusing the cubed feta and chopped olives. Allowing the mixture to sit in the marinade results in a harmonious melding of flavors, and a final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil enhances the richness just before serving. This recipe celebrates the art of simple yet exquisite appetizers, perfect for sharing and savoring.
SERVES 6 TO 8
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1¼ cups extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
- 1½ teaspoons grated orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 12 ounces feta cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes (2 cups)
- 1½ cups pitted green olives, chopped coarse
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Creating the Marinade: Toast cumin seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat until the first wisps of smoke appear (about 2 minutes). Stir in 1 cup of olive oil, minced oregano, sliced garlic, grated orange zest, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the garlic is softened (about 10 minutes).
- Combining Feta and Olives: Place the cubed feta and chopped coarse green olives in a medium bowl. Pour the warm marinade over the mixture and gently toss to combine.
- Infusing Flavors: Cover the bowl and let the mixture sit until it reaches room temperature (about 1½ hours). This resting period allows the flavors to meld.
- Final Touch: Before serving, stir in the remaining ¼ cup of olive oil to enhance the richness and create a luscious texture.
- Storage and Serving: The Marinated Feta and Green Olives can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. When ready to serve, ensure the mixture reaches room temperature to fully enjoy its flavors and consistency.
TIPS:
- Marinade Aroma: Toast cumin seeds in a saucepan over medium heat until wisps of smoke appear (about 2 minutes). Stir in olive oil, minced oregano, sliced garlic, grated orange zest, and red pepper flakes. The combination of these aromatic ingredients creates a dynamic and fragrant marinade.
- Enhancing Flavor: To further deepen the flavors, reduce the heat and let the marinade simmer gently until the garlic is softened (around 10 minutes). This step allows the ingredients to meld and infuse.
- Cubed Feta: Opt for a block of feta cheese rather than pre-crumbled feta to ensure a better texture and flavor integration. Mt. Vikos Traditional Feta is recommended for its exceptional quality.
- Brined Olives: Use plain, brined olives instead of marinated ones to provide a clean canvas for the marinade. Look for these olives in the deli section of most supermarkets.
- Combining Feta and Olives: After preparing the marinade, gently toss the cubed feta and chopped coarse green olives in a medium bowl. Pour the warm marinade over the mixture and combine gently to ensure even coating.
- Melding Flavors: Allow the feta and olives to sit in the marinade for about 1½ hours at room temperature. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and develop complexity.
- Serving and Storage: Before serving, stir in the remaining olive oil to enhance the richness and texture. The Marinated Feta and Green Olives can be refrigerated for up to 1 week, but bring it to room temperature before serving to maximize its flavors and consistency.
Celebrate the art of elegant and effortless entertaining with the Marinated Feta and Green Olives. With its burst of Mediterranean flavors and contrasting textures, this appetizer showcases the beauty of simplicity while leaving a lasting impression on your taste buds.
