Description
Mediterranean-inspired green olive and feta cheese spread delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in minutes. Crumbly feta and briny olives combine for a simple, irresistible appetizer you can enjoy with crusty bread or crisp vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz (113 g) feta cheese, crumbled
- 6 oz (170 g) green olives with pimento, drained
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive brine (optional)
Instructions
- Blend Base: Whip cream cheese, mayonnaise, and feta in a food processor until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Season Mixture: Integrate onion and garlic powders by pulsing briefly, distributing seasonings uniformly throughout the creamy foundation.
- Incorporate Olives: Drain green olives and gently fold into the mixture, maintaining olive texture while evenly dispersing them throughout the spread.
- Adjust Consistency: Modulate spread’s texture by cautiously adding olive brine, creating desired moisture and flavor intensity.
- Finalize and Chill: Transfer spread to serving bowl, smoothing surface with a spatula, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor complexity and allow ingredients to harmonize before serving with accompaniments like crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Drain Olives Completely: Excess moisture can make the spread watery, so pat green olives dry with paper towels to maintain a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Cheese Temperature Matters: Ensure cream cheese and feta are at room temperature for smoother blending and easier mixing without lumps.
- Customize Seasoning Carefully: Adjust onion and garlic powders incrementally to prevent overpowering the delicate olive and cheese flavors.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerating for at least 30 minutes allows ingredients to blend, creating a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 171
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg