Baked Blue Cheese Stuffed Colossal Black Olives Food

BAKED BLUE CHEESE STUFFED COLOSSAL BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Filling -- Just mix the cheeses, garlic, shallot, red pepper, and black pepper. No salt needed as the cheese and olives provide enough salty flavor. Mix well breaking up the bleu cheese and make sure that the filling is creamy.
• Stuffing -- You can use a pastry bag, but I personally use a small ziplock or plastic baggie. Then cut a tip off of one of the corners, squeeze the bag, and stuff the olives.
• Walnuts -- You can sometimes find them chopped, but if not, just use a small food processor or you can chop them by hand. You want them fine chopped.
• After you have stuffed the olives. I dip the two ends with the cheese into the ground nuts to give a little crunch.
• Skewers -- Before I skewer them I let the olives chill after stuffing. Then, depending on what size skewer you use, add as many olives as you want. I prefer to use the small skewers and add 3 olives per skewer for a nice bite size appetizer.
• Heat them up, either in the microwave (1-2 minutes on 60% power) or in the oven, 350 for about 5-7 minutes. Just until warm and the cheese is heated through.
• ENJOY!

FRIED OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat canola oil to 350 degrees F. (Drop a very small piece of bread crumb into the oil if it starts to sizzle the oil is hot enough.)
• Drain the olives.
• Mix flour, garlic powder and chili powder together and place in a shallow dish. Pour eggs into another dish, and bread crumbs with ground black pepper into a third.
• Roll the olives in the flour, then roll them in the beaten egg and finally roll them in the bread crumbs. Set on a plate to give the breading a chance to dry and form a crust while the oil heats.
• When oil is hot, put half the olives into it, being careful not to drop them and splatter hot oil. Fry until golden brown, then remove and drain on paper towels. Be sure to tip the oil out of the center of the olive. Serve on a platter with Manchego cheese cubes and slices of serrano ham.

BLUE (BLEU) CHEESE STUFFED OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the almonds in a small baking sheet and lightly season with Essence.
• Roast until fragrant and light golden in color, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Drain the olives, reserving the brine.
• Form 1/2 teaspoon of blue cheese around each almond sliver and stuff each into an olive.
• Return the olives to their jar, layering with the garlic and peppercorns. Pour the reserved brine over the olives to completely cover. Tightly cover and shake well.
• Let marinate refrigerated and sealed for at least 2 days.

ZESTY STUFFED OLIVES

Steps:

• Spoon cream cheese spread into small resealable plastic bag. Press cream cheese into one of the bottom corners of bag. Cut off small piece from corner of bag. Squeeze cream cheese into centers of olives.
• Place olives on serving plate. Drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with parsley.