Description
This recipe features a vibrant Mediterranean appetizer combining marinated Castelvetrano olives infused with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and chili flakes, served alongside a creamy, tangy whipped feta dip made with feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, and lemon zest. Perfect for entertaining, this flavorful duo pairs beautifully with crackers, pita bread, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
For the Marinated Green Olives
- 2 cups Castelvetrano olives, pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Cracked black pepper to taste
For the Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces soft feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
- ¾ cup whole fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon honey, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon olive juice/brine or fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the marinated olives: Toss the Castelvetrano olives with minced parsley, oregano, dill, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure the olives are evenly coated with the herb and citrus mixture. Allow this to sit while preparing the whipped feta to let the flavors meld together.
- Make the whipped feta dip: In a food processor or blender, combine the soft feta cheese, whole fat Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, olive juice or fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, resembling a fluffy dip. If needed, add a little more olive oil to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Chill the whipped feta: Transfer the whipped feta to a bowl, cover it, and chill in the refrigerator for a few minutes to thicken the texture. For best results, you can also prepare this ahead of time and chill overnight, though chilling is optional depending on your schedule.
- Serve: Just before serving, spoon the marinated olives generously over the whipped feta dip. Serve the dish alongside your favorite crackers, pita bread, pita chips, crostini, or fresh veggies to enjoy as a flavorful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- If marinating the olives for longer than an hour, store them in the fridge to maintain freshness.
- Bring marinated olives to room temperature before serving to allow the olive oil to loosen up and enhance flavor release.
- The whipped feta dip can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
- Adjust honey in the dip according to your preferred sweetness level.
- This dish pairs well with a variety of bread and vegetable dippers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
