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olive dip from above with bread dipped in

Pan-Fried Castelvatrano Olives and Garlic Whipped Goat Cheese

megan sheley
This recipe turns olive haters into lovers. It's one of my most popular and recreated recipes of all time - and a personal favorite! Using buttery Castelvatrano olives, fresh herbs, orange zest, pistachios, and craisins, this hits just about every single note.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • 1 food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 9-10 oz pitted Castelvatrano olives
  • 1 shallot thinly sliced
  • 1 clove of garlic minced
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 orange juiced
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped oregano
  • 2 tbsp chopped dill
  • 1/4 crushed pistachios
  • 1/4 cup craisins dried cranberries
  • 12 oz goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 small clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • pinch of salt
  • French baguette
  • olive oil drizzle
  • dried oregano to sprinkle on bread

Instructions
 

  • Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees for your bread. While preheating, start your whipped goat cheese by adding cheese, garlic, balsamic vinegar, pinch of salt, and cream to a food processor - process this until really smooth. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • Tear up your bread into bite sized pieces that are easy for dipping. place onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • Thinly slice a shallot and set aside. I used a mandolin for this for ease. In a large *hot* skillet, add in your drained Castelvatrano olives (please make sure these are pitted). Let these sit, you want them to blister and brown. Stir after a few minutes.
  • Add in the sliced shallots and saute for a couple minutes, add in minced garlic and stir again. Add in fresh squeeze orange juice from 1/2 an orange and a tiny pinch of salt. Remove from heat. (CHECK ON YOUR BREAD!)
  • Give your olive mixture a rough chop to make the olives easier to eat. Place into a large bowl and add in your chopped herbs (dill, parsley, and oregano - you really can use any herbs that you want here), red chili flakes, crushed pistachios, and craisins. Stir well.
  • Place your goat cheese into a low bowl for easy serving, top with olive mixture, and using the other half of the orange, zest on top!
  • Serve with crusty bread and enjoy!
Keyword appetizers, dips, goat cheese, olives