Olives and Cheese

A showstopper of a party recipe, a wreath of marinated cheese and olives flecked with festive red flecks of pimiento is so much more impressive than just putting the cheeses on a board on their own. Though it looks like something you’d encounter at an elegant catered spread, this appetizer of olives and cheese is actually quite easy to assemble. The key is marinating the whole platter in a drizzle of homemade herbed balsamic dressing. This one will become a holiday favorite for sure.

Ingredients for Olives and Cheese 

• Cream cheese: Marinated slices of cream cheese add a fudgy, creamy texture and mild, tangy flavor.
• Sharp white cheddar cheese: The cheddar’s sharp flavor contrasts with the cream cheese, a delightful combination.
• Pimiento-stuffed olives: These add a sharp, briny flavor to the appetizer.
• Pitted Greek olives: These provide a rich and winey flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Balsamic vinegar and olive oil: The balsamic adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the dressing, while the olive oil adds a rich and grassy flavor and helps to emulsify the dressing.
• Fresh herbs: The parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavor to the dressing, and the basil a fragrant and slightly peppery one. You can substitute dried basil as well.
• Garlic cloves: Minced garlic lends its signature pungency to the dressing, but not so much that it’s overpowering.
• Pimiento strips: Especially festive for holiday hosting, pimientos add vibrant color to the appetizer.
• Baguette: Thin, toasted slices of French bread provide a crispy and flavorful accompaniment to the cheeses and olives. You can substitute crackers or crostini instead.

Directions

Step 1: Slice and arrange the cheeses and olives

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Cut the cream cheese in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1/4-inch slices. On a serving plate, arrange the cream cheese and the 1/4-inch slices of cheddar upright in a ring, alternating the two. Place the olives in the center.

Step 2: Make the dressing and marinate

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil and garlic until blended, then drizzle the mix over the cheeses and olives. Sprinkle the pimientos over the top. Refrigerate the plate, covered, for at least eight hours or overnight. Serve with baguette slices.

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Olives and Cheese Variations

• Change up the cheeses: This stylish appetizer is super adaptable. Any cheeses will work in place of the cream cheese and sharp cheddar. Just keep the overall weight the same. Try it with fresh mozzarella or feta slices in place of the cream cheese, and provolone or Gruyere in place of the cheddar.
• Incorporate charcuterie: For more variety, fold thin slices of deli meats such as pepperoni and salami in half and tuck them between the cheese slices.
• Add some vegetables: Round out this dish by adding marinated artichoke hearts, drained giardiniera or mild pickled peppers, such as pepperoncini, to the olive mixture.

How to Store Olives and Cheese

To store leftovers of this olives and cheese appetizer, simply cover it tightly and refrigerate it. This will help prevent the cheeses from drying out and the flavors from fading. The appetizer can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Serve it with additional toasted French bread baguette slices when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Can you make olives and cheese ahead of time?

Yes, marinated cheese and olives is a great appetizer to make ahead. In fact, it’s recommended to refrigerate the assembled appetizer for at least eight hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cheeses to soften. This will result in a more flavorful spread.

Olives and Cheese Tips

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

What’s the best way to slice cream cheese?

Soft and squishy cream cheese is notoriously difficult to cut into neat slices. The best way we’ve found is to do it when the cheese is very well chilled. You can even partially freeze your cream cheese to make it go more smoothly.

What can I substitute for balsamic vinegar?

Balsamic vinegar is particularly good in this recipe because it has both a sharp vinegar flavor and also a layer of fruit-forward sweetness. If you’d prefer to use a different type of vinegar, the best options would be a sherry vinegar or an apple cider vinegar, with a little honey drizzled over the cheese too.

What can I serve with marinated cheese and olives?

Besides bread or crackers, this festive cheese board would be a nice accompaniment to some other party foods, especially a crudités board of fresh fruits and vegetables, since it’s quite rich on its own. Pesto pinwheels would be a nice pairing, as would almost any type of stuffed mushrooms.