Easy and Addictive Warm Citrus Marinated Olives Recipe
This Easy and Addictive Warm Citrus Marinated Olives recipe infuses olives with fragrant herbs, citrus zest, and garlic, all gently warmed in olive oil to create a flavorful appetizer or snack. Perfectly balanced with fresh thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, these marinated olives are simple to prepare and can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Produce
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 small orange or clementine (zested and juiced)
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (roughly chopped)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (roughly chopped)
- 2 dried bay leaves (roughly chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed and peeled)
Pantry
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 small dried red chili pepper
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups assorted green and black olives
- ¼ cup olive brine
Instructions
- Prepare Citrus Zest: Use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove large pieces of zest from the lemon and orange, avoiding the white pith for optimal flavor.
- Chop Herbs: Roughly chop the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves into large pieces to release their aromas during heating.
- Warm the Aromatics: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine citrus peels, chopped herbs, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Simmer Gently: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Then, turn off the heat.
- Toss Olives: Add the assorted olives to the warm oil mixture, tossing to coat evenly. Pour in the olive brine and the juices from the lemon and orange, mixing gently to combine.
- Marinate: Transfer the olives and oil mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days for optimal flavor. Before serving, bring the olives to room temperature.
Notes
- Use the freshest herbs you can find for the best aroma and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- The olives can be marinated cold or served warm; bringing them to room temperature before serving enhances the flavors.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of olives for varied textures and tastes.
- This recipe can be scaled up for larger gatherings easily.
