Description
A delightful appetizer featuring warm, garlic and herb roasted olives paired with creamy, sweet honey whipped feta. This easy-to-make recipe combines bold Mediterranean flavors with a smooth, luscious feta spread perfect for serving alongside bread or crackers.
Ingredients
Roasted Olives
- 2 cups mixed olives, pitted
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 shallot, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- Chili flakes, a big pinch
Honey Whipped Feta
- 1 cup (8 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
- 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2-3 tablespoons honey
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare olives: Preheat your oven to 450° F. In a baking dish, combine the mixed olives, olive oil, smashed garlic cloves, quartered shallot, quartered lemon, thyme, oregano, and a generous pinch of chili flakes. Spread evenly.
- Roast olives: Bake the olive mixture for 20-25 minutes, or until the garlic turns golden and the olive oil is sizzling, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Whip the feta: While the olives roast, combine crumbled feta, cream cheese, honey, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until smooth, creamy, and well blended to create a luscious whipped feta spread.
- Assemble and serve: Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl and spoon the warm, roasted olives on top. Serve immediately with bread or crackers to enjoy this flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- The whipped feta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust honey amount according to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Use a mix of olives for best flavor and texture variety.
- Serve with crusty bread, pita, or an array of crackers for dipping.
- Warm olives slightly before serving if refrigerated.