It was my turn to host the book-club evening a couple of weeks ago (there was another birthday cake involved, will blog about that later!!). These evenings are always relaxed and casual - no fuss allowed!! - but you know me - I have to add a few home made touches!
I made my usual spiced nuts and they went down really well with this newest addition to my repertoire, these olives were a revelation, incredibly easy and they taste wonderful, the combination of olives, lemons, chilli and garlic, works really well.
I know I shouldn't use the "C" word, but I just have to - a jar of these olives would make a fantastic Christmas gift. Arrive with a jar of these beauties and you will be welcome at any party, meal, shindig ... you name it, you'll be welcomed with open arms!!
Skrummy Olives
adapted from Lotte's Country Kitchen (Lotte Duncan)
400g olives (I used black pitted and green stuffed with garlic)
2 cloves of garlic, grated or minced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tbsp chilli sauce (I used Frank's because I am addicted to it!!)
1 tbsp chopped basil
1 chilli - seeded and chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
Drain and rinse the olives. (Olives without stones are best as they soak up the marinade like a sponge!)
In a bowl mix them with all the other ingredients.
Spoon back into some jars.
Although you can serve immediately they are best after a day or two.
Store in the fridge, they will keep for weeks and weeks.
Sit back and wait for the praise!!
23 comments:
We have book club evenings as well where we just serve a few nibbles. I feel you have challenged me to up my game! As we always have it on a night I have been working and I only really have an hour or so beforehand, I have just been serving some crisps and dips - pre-made by the lovely supermarket! But I should really get a bit more organised. Your little feast looks brilliant - I would appreciate coming to yours for book club. :D
Those personal touches are super nice. I wish I could come to your book club. Looks like lovely food!!
PDNFTA - I can't tell you how easy these are, they'd take just minutes a night or two before your bookclub!
You'd both be more than welcome!!
Oh I love olives. Why did I never think of putting them in a marinade like that. You are clever
My sis in lawis gonna LOVE these. I'll need to make them for her for Christmas, thanks for sahring ;0)
These are going to be on my table for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much!!!
Book club evenings sound like so much fun! These marinated olives - I love them! Such lovely little bites...I would be the one hovering over the bowl.
I love olives, they're so good!
I know a young lady who will really appreciate a jar of those!
Thank you for your kind comments, I did realise about the lion headed bowls :o) I had used to comment on Nigella's forums, but hadn't visited for a month - when I went back the forums had dissappeared. I was VERY dissapointed :o( I think it was a bad descision to loose the forums by Nigella (and her advisors).
Wow, look at that gorgeous spread you did. I want to join your club! I adore olives so I definitely will be giving this recipe a try.
Those sound delicious. I'm a BIG fan of olives, I'll have to try this recipe out :)
Well your special touches really paid off. Everything looked great.
Plan B
I love book club treats! And am honestly always ready for Christmas ideas. I always wait until the last minute and stress over it then!
Those sound great! What a good holiday recipe.
The olives sound delicious and I nice idea for a book club. I haven't belonged to one for a few years now and really miss them. We always used to make cake - no surprises there! Now I don't want to seem indelicate, but what is that volcanic chocolate thing in the middle of the table?
These look delicious and I think that I'll be making them as hostess gifts when I go visiting this holiday season!
I love olives and these sound delicious. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and have a great weekend.
They sound so mourish...
I love to toss my olives around in a pan for a few minutes - the flavour becomes so intense.
Must do your recipe soon - i can imagine it being a huge hit - as you say.
Thankyou for sharing
M
Thanks Rhylesgranny - would love to take the credit but Lotte is the clever one!!
Rose, I agree on the Nigella.com front, some of the old members have set up a new forum called "through the oven door" - it's worth a look.
Choclette - just shows the way our minds work- that chocolate volcanic thing is a piece of ceramic art!!!!!! (LOL!)
M - that sounds like a great idea, will try toasting my olives very soon.
Thank you all so much for your kind comments, I really appreciate them and would love to know how the olives turn out if you try them.
I really wish I liked olives as they look so lovely.I've tried so hard to like them but I can't! :o)
It's so nice to see something savory after Halloween candy overload! I think I'm going to get some kalamata olives out of the fridge right now:)
Hope you enjoy them Sue.
bellaboo, I find it really frustrating when I don't like something but I know that I should!! Raisins, sultanas etc fall into that category for me!
I'm so glad I found this post! What a great recipe. I can't wait to try some to put out at Thanksgiving! They would be a perfect hostess gift too.
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