Herbed Olive Puree Recipes

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.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together olives, oil, parsley, lemon zest and juice, fennel and thyme; season with pepper. Let marinate at room temperature 1 hour (or cover and refrigerate, up to 1 week).

Steps:

• Purée everything together using a blender or hand mixer.
• Serve along with some bread (I like to toast slices of French baguettes) or crackers.

Steps:

• In a container with a tight-fitting lid combine all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste and chill, shaking occasionally, at least 1 day and up to 1 week.
• Serve olives at room temperature.