Description
Delightful mediterranean Sicilian stuffed olives blend creamy cheese with zesty herbs inside plump green olives. Guests will savor these elegant appetizers that showcase Italian culinary craftsmanship with pure Mediterranean charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Olives & Cheese
- 35 ounces (992 grams) Castelvetrano olives, pitted and drained (about 45 large green olives)
- 5.3 ounces (150 grams) Garlic and Herb Boursin cheese, room temperature
Marinade Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Create a fragrant herb-infused oil by gently simmering olive oil with minced garlic and dried herbs over medium heat for 1 minute, allowing the aromatics to release their essence. Remove from heat and season with salt, then set aside to cool completely.
- Carefully drain the olives and remove pits if necessary. Using a thin skewer or chopstick, meticulously clean out any existing stuffing from each olive, ensuring a pristine interior for the new filling.
- Thoroughly mash the Boursin cheese until smooth and creamy. Transfer the cheese to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Precisely pipe the cheese into each olive from the bottom, filling completely to the top for a uniform and luxurious stuffing.
- Arrange the freshly stuffed olives in a clean quart-sized glass jar. Slowly pour the cooled herb-infused oil over the olives, ensuring complete coverage. Seal the jar and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to one week, gently rotating the jar occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
- When ready to serve, artfully arrange the marinated olives on a serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining herb oil and provide toothpicks for easy handling. If the oil has solidified from refrigeration, allow the olives to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Herb Infusion Technique Gently warm olive oil to release maximum flavor from garlic and herbs without burning, creating a delicate aromatic base.
- Cheese Stuffing Tip Use room temperature Boursin for smoother piping and easier filling, ensuring clean and neat olive presentation.
- Storage Hack Store marinated olives in an airtight glass jar to maintain freshness and allow easy flavor distribution when occasionally turning.
- Dietary Adaptation Swap Boursin with dairy-free cream cheese for vegan version, or use goat cheese for a tangier flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 197
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 122 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg