Zesty Warm Sautéed Olives with Lemon & Rosemary Recipe

Sizzling warm sautéed olives with lemon and rosemary dance across the skillet, releasing an intoxicating Mediterranean aroma that instantly transports you to sun-drenched coastal landscapes.

These briny jewels burst with flavor, promising a simple yet sophisticated appetizer that sparks conversation.

Herbs infuse each olive with vibrant, zesty notes that awaken the palate.

Olive oil shimmers as it coats each morsel, creating a glossy, irresistible sheen.

The combination of tangy citrus and earthy rosemary transforms ordinary olives into an extraordinary starter.

Serve these warm olives alongside crusty bread for a delightful bite that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

Let this recipe be your ticket to a delectable culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Warm Sautéed Olives with Lemon & Rosemary

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides a silky, luxurious base that infuses the olives with rich Mediterranean warmth and helps release the herbs' aromatic oils.
• Lemon Peel: Adds a bright, zesty citrus punch that cuts through the olives' richness and introduces a refreshing layer of complexity.
• Rosemary: Brings an earthy, pine-like herbal note that complements the olives' salty character and creates a sophisticated flavor profile.

• Mixed Olives: The star of the dish, offering a medley of textures and taste from briny to buttery, creating a delightful appetizer that speaks to traditional Mediterranean cuisine.

Sauté Tools for Flavorful Olives with Lemon

• Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for even heating and sautéing.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for gently stirring olives without damaging them.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing lemon peel.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for zesting or cutting lemon peel.
• Serving Dish: Attractive bowl to transfer warm olives directly from skillet.
• Measuring Spoon: Optional for precise oil measurement.

Directions for Warm Sautéed Olives with a Zesty Kick

• Skillet Preparation

Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium warmth, allowing the oil to spread evenly across the cooking surface.

• Flavor Infusion

Gently add mixed olives alongside bright lemon zest and fragrant rosemary sprigs, creating a delightful Mediterranean aroma that fills the kitchen.

• Quick Sauté

Stir the olives carefully for 3-5 minutes, watching them become glossy and slightly plump while the herbs release their magical essence, filling the air with a tantalizing fragrance.

• Serving Magic

Transfer the warm, glistening olives immediately to a beautiful serving dish, ready to be enjoyed as a stunning appetizer or casual snack that transports taste buds to sunny coastal regions.

Tips for Infusing Rosemary and Lemon into Olives

• Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor profile and authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Replace rosemary with fresh thyme or oregano for a different aromatic twist that complements the briny olives perfectly.
• Serve these warm olives immediately after cooking to capture their most intense flavors and maintain their delightful sizzling texture.
• Mix different olive types like Kalamata, green Spanish, and black Niçoise to create a stunning and complex flavor combination that will surprise your guests.
• You can gently warm the olives up to 30 minutes before serving, keeping them covered in a low-heat oven to maintain their warmth and preserve their delicious herbal essence.

Serving Warm Olives as an Elegant Appetizer

• Elegant Appetizer Platter: Arrange the warm olives on a rustic wooden board alongside creamy goat cheese, crusty baguette slices, and thin crackers for a sophisticated Mediterranean-style starter that will impress guests.
• Cocktail Hour Companion: Serve these zesty olives as a perfect accompaniment to crisp white wines, sparkling prosecco, or classic martinis, creating a delightful pre-dinner nibble that enhances drink flavors.
• Charcuterie Board Enhancement: Scatter the warm, fragrant olives among cured meats, aged cheeses, and artisan breads to add a vibrant, herbal touch that elevates the entire charcuterie experience with its bright lemon and rosemary notes.
• Quick Party Snack: Present the olives in small decorative bowls at room temperature, allowing guests to enjoy the warm, aromatic treat as a simple yet elegant finger food during casual gatherings or intimate celebrations.

Keeping Sautéed Olives Warm and Ready

• Quick Refrigeration Magic: Store leftover olives in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to meld and intensify, creating an even more delicious taste experience.
• Flavor Boost Technique: Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat when ready to serve again, adding a tiny splash of olive oil to revive the herbs' aromatic qualities and maintain the olives' perfect texture.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Remove olives from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature, which helps unlock their full, rich flavor profile and ensures optimal taste.
• Meal Prep Genius: These sautéed olives can be prepared ahead of time for gatherings, making them a perfect make-ahead appetizer that impresses guests with minimal last-minute effort and maximum flavor potential.

Vibrant Sauted Olives with Lemon & Rosemary Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired warm olives with lemon and rosemary create a simple yet elegant appetizer that delights guests. Fragrant herbs and zesty citrus elevate classic olives into an irresistible starter perfect for sharing.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) mixed olives, drained
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 4 strips lemon peel
• 2 sprigs rosemary, cut into pieces

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Instructions

1. Olive Preparation: Warm a medium skillet with extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, creating an even, glistening surface for sautéing.
2. Flavor Infusion: Introduce a colorful medley of green, kalamata, and black olives into the heated oil, accompanied by delicate lemon zest strips and aromatic rosemary sprigs to awaken their intrinsic flavors.
3. Sautéing Process: Tenderly maneuver the olive mixture for 4-5 minutes, allowing the olives to become glossy and heated while gently preserving the herb’s essential oils and preventing fragmentation.
4. Serving Presentation: Elegantly transfer the warmth-infused olives to a decorative serving dish, letting residual heat marry the complex Mediterranean-inspired flavors of citrus, herbs, and olive essence.
5. Final Touch: Present the olives immediately, capturing their peak warmth and vibrant sensory profile, inviting guests to experience the rich, aromatic delicacy.

Notes

• Olive Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, firm olives with varied colors and textures for a more complex and interesting flavor profile.
• Temperature Control: Keep heat medium-low to prevent olive skin from splitting or becoming tough, maintaining their delicate texture.
• Fresh Herb Intensity: Use fresh rosemary sprigs for maximum aromatic infusion, avoiding dried herbs which can taste flat and less vibrant.
• Quick Serving Strategy: Serve immediately after cooking to preserve the warm temperature and capture the peak of herb-infused olive oil’s fragrance.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg