Description
Enjoy a delightful Olive Lovers’ Dream Dip that combines creamy feta, tangy green olives, and a hint of lemon for a flavorful Mediterranean spread. This easy-to-make dip is perfect for serving with pita chips, crostini, or fresh vegetables, making it an ideal appetizer or snack for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 200 g green olives (pitted)
- 150 g feta cheese (crumbled)
- 100 g cream cheese (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
Add-ins
- 1 roasted red pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping (Optional)
- 2 whole green olives
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture: In a food processor, combine the pitted green olives, crumbled feta cheese, room temperature cream cheese, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth yet retains a slightly textured consistency, ensuring a creamy dip with a bit of bite.
- Add the flavor enhancers: Add the chopped roasted red pepper, dried oregano, chili flakes if using, and freshly ground black pepper to the food processor. Pulse 2 to 3 times just enough to mix these ingredients while preserving some chunkiness for texture.
- Assemble the dip: Spoon the prepared dip into a jar or a serving bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil and garnish the top with the whole green olives for an appealing presentation and added olive flavor.
- Chill to meld flavors: Refrigerate the dip for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Serve: Serve the dip chilled alongside pita chips, crostini, or raw vegetables, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to ensure smooth blending.
- You can adjust the amount of chili flakes to make the dip more or less spicy according to your preference.
- The dip can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta and cream cheese with vegan cheese alternatives.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.