Blistered Olives Recipes

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

PASTA WITH FETA AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook at a gentle boil until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan or skillet, heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the olives, cooking until they start to blister in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add in the garlic, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds, then let sit uncovered until the pasta is finished.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain the pasta, then return it to the pot over medium-low heat. Pour in the olive mixture, the lemon juice and ¾ cup pasta water, and stir well for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are coated in a smooth, glossy sauce, adding more water if needed. Turn off the heat, stir in the feta and let it soften and melt slightly. Finish with a grind or two of black pepper and a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes, if desired. Season to taste with salt, and serve immediately.

BLISTERED SHISHITO PEPPERS WITH OLIVE-AND-BASIL SALT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Place the olives and basil in the bowl of a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add the salt and pulse to combine. Spread the salt mixture on a baking sheet; place in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the mixture is quite dry. Remove and let cool, then break apart using your fingers.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and give it 1 minute to heat up. In batches, so as to not overcrowd the pan, fry the peppers until blistered on all sides, 2 or 3 minutes per side. With tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the peppers to a paper-towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with some of the flavored salt; use about 2 tablespoons of the salt mixture and reserve the rest in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a later use.

BLISTERED OLIVES

Steps:

• In a sauté pan heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add olives and chili pepper; sauté just until olives begin to nicely brown. Add garlic and sauté 1 more minute.
• Remove from heat to a small bowl and toss with the lemon zest.

BLISTERED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES, AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler with rack 6 inches from heat source. Place eggplant rounds on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until eggplant is blistered and deep brown on one side, 10 to 12 minutes. Flip and broil until blistered on other side, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately transfer to a large bowl, toss with oil, and cover with a plate. Let stand until softened, 10 minutes.
• Arrange eggplant and tomatoes on a platter, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper and drizzling with oil before adding next. Top with feta, olives, and parsley, and serve with bread.