Description
Delight in this flavorful Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata recipe, a perfect appetizer featuring mixed olives roasted with garlic, fresh herbs, lemon peel, and red pepper flakes in extra virgin olive oil. Served warm with creamy burrata cheese and toasted rustic bread, this dish combines Mediterranean flavors for an elegant and easy-to-make starter or snack.
Ingredients
Olives and Herbs
- 2 cups mixed olives (pitted)
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
- 1 small yellow onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 medium lemon (peels only)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Olive Oil
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
Cheese and Garnish
- 2-3 balls burrata cheese (room temperature)
- Fresh dill and basil (for garnish)
Bread
- 1 loaf bakery bread (focaccia, ciabatta, or baguette, sliced and toasted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450℉ (232℃) and remove the burrata cheese from its liquid. Place the burrata on a paper towel to dry, ensuring it is ready to use after roasting the olives.
- Drain olives: Drain any oil or brine from the mixed olives to prepare them for roasting, enhancing the dish’s flavors.
- Prepare the olives: Slice or chunk half of the olives while leaving the other half whole. This variation in size adds texture and visual appeal to the dish.
- Assemble ingredients in a baking dish: Combine the olives, smashed garlic, thinly sliced yellow onion, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, lemon peels, and red pepper flakes in an oven-safe dish. Pour the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the mixture to ensure thorough roasting.
- Roast the olives: Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Stir the olives halfway at 15 minutes to promote even cooking. Roast until the mixture is very fragrant, the oil is sizzling, and the garlic has turned golden brown.
- Add burrata cheese: Nestle the burrata balls gently into the hot roasted olives. Carefully break open the burrata to expose its creamy center, being cautious of the hot oil.
- Garnish and serve: Top the dish with fresh dill and basil for added herbaceous flavor. Serve immediately with toasted slices of focaccia, ciabatta, or baguette bread and provide a spoon for easy serving.
Notes
- Use a mix of olives such as kalamata, green, and black olives for a balance of flavors.
- The burrata should be at room temperature for the best creamy texture.
- Be careful when breaking the burrata in the hot oil to avoid burns.
- Serve immediately while warm for optimal flavor and texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for heat preference.
- Leftover roasted olives can be refrigerated and used in salads or pasta dishes within 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
