Warm marinated olives are a truly spectacular appetizer despite their seeming simplicity. If you like olives, you will love these. Gentle heat makes the olives intoxicatingly fragrant with the scent of spices and herbs and citrus peel adds bright, fresh notes to really elevate them.
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Canadian Made Mediterranean Food
I've partnered up with Canadian Sardo Foods once again to give you some awesome and easy holiday dishes.
I truly love Sardo's olives and antipasti because they process their Mediterranean style products here in Canada. They are awesome, high quality pantry staples that last a long time in cupboard or fridge making it quick and easy to throw dinner together.
For more Italian favorites, check out my Ooni Pizza Dough Recipe, Sorrel Pesto, and Chicken and Sundried Tomato pasta. For some Mediteranean seafood dishes, try Pasta Alla Salmone, Salmon Crudo and Easy Seafood Alfredo- all quick and easy recipes that make a special dinner.
Make Ahead Appetizer
I first tried warm olives in a lovely little Italian deli style restaurant and I was hooked. I was so surprised how something so simple could taste so complex and exciting. Even more exciting is that these are really easy and fast to prep ahead of time and simply warm for a few minutes right before serving.
Trending: Grazing Boards
Warm olives are a simple but sophisticated hors d'oeuvres. These can stand alone with an apertif or bubbly or you can make them part of something bigger. A little crusty bread, a little feta cheese or charcuterie and you have a snacking platter worthy of hosting anyone. Go even bigger and you have a grazing board.
(Looking for more Mediterranean appetizer ideas? Check out 75 Easy + Delicious Appetizers For Pizza Night.)
Grazing boards are so popular now and for obvious reasons. They are simply charcuterie and/or cheese plates on steroids. Add in fruit, crackers, jam, mustard, nuts...but these olives will be the star of the show! Or why not try a middle Eastern inspired olive and hummus grazing board. Check out this round up of creative hummus recipes.
Warm Marinated Olive Variations
I've used my favourite Italian influenced flavours but there are so many ways you can change this up. In addition to whole olives, you can add cocktail onions, capers, caper berries, or Marcona almonds. Try different spices and herbs too, like cumin, herbs de Provence blend, warming Mexican or African spices and of course any fresh herbs go well. Think of lemon and dill or sage with toasted garlic or parsley with mint.
Quick Tips
Use good quality, whole olives for this recipe. I used Sardo's party mix olives because I like the different flavours and textures but their Kalamata, Calabrese or Sicilian olives all work well too.
To keep the olives warm, I suggest pre warming a stoneware bowl or other heavy serving bowl that will hold the heat for awhile.
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Cheers friends! Sabrina
📖 Recipe
Warm Marinated Olives
Ingredients
- ⅓ c Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Anise seed (or fennel seed)
- 1 clove Garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 Sprig of Rosemary about 3-4" long
- ½ teaspoon Chili Flakes (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Each, orange and lemon zest
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 c Olives-(500ml container) Party Mix, Kalamata, Calabrese or Sicilienne, drained
- Wedge of ¼ lemon or orange to squeeze over at the end (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat an oven safe bowl in the oven set to warm.Heat small sauce pan on low and gently toast anise seed until fragrant. Add olive oil and garlic, warming until fragrant and garlic is translucent but not coloring.
- Add remaining ingredients including drained olives and continue to warm on low approximately 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. Be careful not to let it get too hot, you do not want to cook the olives at all, only warm them. Squeeze the juice of ⅛-1/4 orange or lemon over and transfer to pre warmed bowl right away and serve warm.Put a small dish out for pits.
Catherine
These look so delicious! Love the combo of lemon, chilli and garlic!
SabCurrie
Thanks Catherine!
Jane Saunders
This is a great idea. I do love olives, but warming them makes them so much better for winter enjoyment.
SabCurrie
Absolutely, thanks Jane!
Alexandra
Absolutely love olives - what a delicious appetiser these make
SabCurrie
Thanks Alexandra!
Joss
As my whole family are huge olive lovers, these marinated olives will be a definite hit over the holidays!
SabCurrie
Enjoy and happy holidays Joss!
JustineCelina
Yum, yum, yum! Love all these delicious tips and preparation ideas. Putting Sardo’s olives and antipasti on the list for my next grocery run!
SabCurrie
Awesome Justine! They have so many good kinds 🙂
NANCY
LOVE snacking on olives!! what a great appy!
SabCurrie
Thanks so much Nancy!
Colleen
We are huge fans of olives in my family but I've never marinaded and served them warm. But what a delicious surprise. I'll be doing them again for sure.
SabCurrie
Thanks Colleen, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment 🙂
Shailaja
Oh My! These warm olive are bursting with flavour! And amazing images too ..Would love to serves these during the holidays!
SabCurrie
Awesome Shailaja, they are always such a hit! Happy holidays 💕
Julia Pinney
These olives look and sound amazing. A great addition to any holiday platter for sure!
Kristen
I have never even thought to warm my olives before but man, these are delicious!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
SabCurrie
Thanks Kristen!
Sharon
We loved the olives! I have been making charcuteries every week for when we watch the Mandalorian episodes together and this week we added these delicious olives. I've never had them warmed and what a difference. Really tasty.
SabCurrie
So awesome! Thanks for letting me know Sharon!
Sean
What a gorgeous appetizer! Love the little additions - especially the citrus zest. Perfect for adding a pop of colour, and for complimenting the rich and distinctive taste of the olives. Gotta say, I love the cutting board/platter too. The handle reminds me of Hokusai's great wave woodcut a little! It's a lovely accent, and it really makes these beautiful olives stand out even more. Cheers.
SabCurrie
Thanks so much Sean!