Black Olives And Cheese: Perfect Pairing

Olives and cheese are a classic combination, but with so many varieties of each, it can be tricky to know which flavours go together. Black olives, in particular, can range from salty to fruity, bitter to sweet, so it's worth experimenting with different cheeses to find your favourite pairings. A good place to start is with a mild, buttery cheese like Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, or a tangy sheep's feta to complement the fruitiness of black olives. If you're feeling adventurous, try a blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Stilton for a pungent, meaty twist.

Black olives and tangy feta

One simple and impressive appetizer idea is marinated olives and feta. To make this, smash some garlic cloves and cook them with lemon peel, olive oil, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Warm the mixture until the garlic is golden, then pour it over crumbled feta cheese in a shallow serving bowl. Let the flavours infuse for at least 10 minutes before serving with crusty bread for dipping. This easy appetizer can be made ahead of time and is perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.

For a more substantial dish, try black olive and feta pinwheels. This recipe uses puff pastry as a base, spread with a mixture of black olives, feta cheese, roasted red pepper, and garlic. The pastry is then rolled up, cut into pinwheels, and baked until golden brown and puffed. These savoury pastries are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a salty party snack.

If you're looking for a warm and comforting dish, try orzo with olives and feta. This Greek-inspired dish combines the salty, tangy flavours of black olives and feta with the nuttiness of orzo pasta. You can also try a Mediterranean chicken and olive skillet or Greek stuffed peppers with cheese and olives for a heartier meal.

The versatility of black olives and tangy feta means you can get creative and experiment with different herbs, spices, and ingredients to develop your own unique dishes. Whether served as a simple appetizer or incorporated into a main course, the combination of black olives and tangy feta is sure to impress.

Black olives and sharp cheddar

Flavour Profiles

The salty, briny notes of black olives complement the sharpness and slight nuttiness of cheddar cheese. Black olives can range from salty to fruity, while sharp cheddar offers a more intense, often tangy flavour compared to milder cheddars. The combination of these two ingredients creates a dynamic duo that balances each other out.

Preparation Ideas

When preparing a dish with black olives and sharp cheddar, consider marinating the olives in olive oil, vinegar, and Italian seasoning. This adds extra flavour and depth to the olives, enhancing the overall taste experience. You can also cube the sharp cheddar to create a tasty appetizer, or even bake it into dishes like quiches or casseroles.

Accompanying Foods

To further enhance the pairing, consider adding other ingredients that complement both black olives and sharp cheddar. Fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme go well with black olives, while crackers, crispy toasts, and crusty breads provide the perfect base for this combination. Dried fruits, nuts, and sliced apples or pears can also add a nice contrast and texture to the dish.

Other Considerations

When creating a dish with black olives and sharp cheddar, feel free to experiment with different types of black olives to find your preferred variety. Additionally, don't be afraid to mix and match other ingredients to create unique flavour profiles. For instance, adding roasted vegetables or meats like salami or pepperoni can take your dish to the next level.

Black olives with citrus

Olives and cheese are a classic pairing, and black olives with citrus are no exception. Here are some tips and recipes to enhance your olive and cheese combinations:

Cheese Pairings

Citrus-marinated black olives pair well with nutty, robust cheeses such as Emmenthal. The citrus notes balance the richness of the cheese, creating a delightful contrast. Another option is to stuff your black olives with citrus segments or zest to create a refreshing burst of flavour that complements the cheese.

Recipes

For a simple yet impressive appetizer, try marinating black olives in olive oil, garlic, citrus peel, bay leaves, and rosemary. This combination takes just a few minutes to prepare but delivers a rustic and elegant flavour.

For a warm option, heat olive oil with garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme, lemon zest, orange zest, and black pepper. Add your olives and cook until warmed through. Stir in lemon and orange juice for a vibrant, tangy finish.

Alternatively, create a marinade by cooking orange slices, garlic, bay leaves, and olive oil, then adding thyme, vinegar, peppercorns, and coriander seeds. Allow it to cool, then pour it over your olives and let them soak up the fragrant flavours.

These marinated olive recipes can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator, bringing them to room temperature before serving. They are versatile and can be served as part of a charcuterie board or enjoyed on their own as a tasty snack.

So, the next time you're looking to elevate your olive and cheese combinations, consider incorporating black olives with citrus for a refreshing and flavourful experience.

Black olives with red peppers

Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade

This vegan tapenade is a delicious and easy appetizer that can be served with crostini or crackers. It can also be used as a spread in sandwiches or wraps. The recipe includes roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. It has a wonderful salty briny flavour.

Marinated Cheese and Olives

For a simple, budget-friendly snack, you can marinate cheese cubes and olives in olive oil, vinegar, and Italian seasoning. Try using sharp cheddar or Havarti cheese with canned black olives and sliced red bell peppers. This dish can be served immediately or refrigerated for a few hours to let the flavours meld.

Roasted Peppers with Black Olives

This recipe combines roasted orange and yellow bell peppers with black Mediterranean-style olives, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and mint. The peppers are broiled until their skins are blackened, then peeled, seeded, and tossed with the other ingredients. This dish can be served at room temperature and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to three days.

Stuffed Olives

Sweet red pepper-stuffed green olives are a popular option, offering a nice balance of salty and sweet flavours. You can also find Mt. Athenos red pepper-stuffed black olives, which pair well with tangy sheep cheese.

Additional Tips

When pairing cheese and olives, the fruitiness of black olives goes well with tangy sheep feta. The herbal notes of some olive mixes marry well with the sweet, nutty flavours of Comte cheese. For a sweet and tangy combination, try a fruity olive mix with tangy feta.

Black olives with goat cheese

Black olives and goat cheese is a classic combination that can be used to make a variety of dishes, from appetizers to pizzas to snacks.

One simple yet elegant appetizer idea is to top tangy, creamy goat cheese with lemon and thyme-infused oil and briny black olives. This dish takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and plate, and it's sure to impress your guests. Simply heat olive oil, lemon zest, thyme, black pepper, and olives in a skillet over low heat until fragrant. Pour the mixture over slices of goat cheese and serve with a crusty baguette.

For a more substantial dish, you can make black olive and goat cheese tartlets. These bite-sized treats are perfect for a posh party. To make them, you'll need ready-rolled puff pastry, crumbly goat's cheese, and pitted black olives. Cut the pastry into rounds, create a rim by denting the center with a smaller cutter, and prick the center with a fork to prevent it from rising. Brush the pastry discs with egg, crumble the goat's cheese in the center, and scatter over the olives. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, then sprinkle with parsley before serving.

If you're in the mood for pizza, try making a pizza with ground goat meat, goat cheese, onion, and black olives. Start by preparing your own pizza dough or using a store-bought option. Top the dough with tomato sauce, ground goat meat, sautéed onions, and black olives. Bake until crisp and golden brown, then add mozzarella and goat cheese and bake until the cheeses are melted and bubbling. Finish with fresh basil and shaved Parmesan.

With these recipes, you can create delicious and impressive dishes that combine black olives and goat cheese. Enjoy experimenting with these flavors and treating your taste buds!

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