I LOVE appetizers, especially during the holidays. I’m pretty sure my favorite thing to do at family get-togethers during the holiday season is stuffing my face with finger foods while having conversations. Or just sitting silently watching something on TV with them. And the easiest thing to get in my face is olives. But I never thought fried olives would be something I’d enjoy so much!
This recipe takes me back to being a kid and running around with my cousins and friends during family holiday parties. I, being the food-driven kid I was, Always would stop off at the appetizer table and stuff my face as often as I could. My favorite things to stuff my face with would be the little olive tray laid out. Come to think of it, I was one of the few that gravitated towards that tray. I’d like to think of this as a grown up version of my childhood favorite for the holidays!
My most favorite olives are Mezzetta’s bleu cheese olives, that little chunk of cheese right in the center is so good! I decided I wanted to change it up and fry up these bad boys and stuff a little jalapeno in them as well, and they came out amazing! Dipped in a Lemon Parsley Aioli sauce is a nice touch to add when serving these up to family during the holidays as well!
This aioli is something I’ve always wanted to make. It’s got a nice bright flavor from lemon juice and zest, and then a creaminess that really compliments the fried olives really well! It goes really nice with the flavor of the breading along with the tartness and spice of the jalapeno and bleu cheese. This is probably my new favorite for an appetizer to keep everyone going while the main course is being prepared!
Don’t be afraid to fry up other things as well. I’m a fan of bleu cheese and jalapeno, but there’s so many other types of olives Mezzetta carries for you to fry up. They even have artichoke hearts that would go great fried along with this sauce!
I almost forgot! Mezzetta is giving away some awesome stuff that you’re going to love, I mean I sure do so I don’t see why you wouldn’t!
1 Lucky winner will receive an Instant Print Digital Camera plus a Ultimate Olive Lover’s Gift Basket including Mezzetta Olives, Olive Spoon, Cutting Board, Olive Bowl, Cocktail Napkins and Recipe Card.
Then 10 runner up winners will get the Ultimate Olive Lover’s Gift Basket including Mezzetta Olives, Olive Spoon, Cutting Board, Olive Bowl, Cocktail Napkins and Recipe Card.
To Sign up for this giveaway visit Mezzetta’s site here!