Lemon & Garlic Olives (aka Sweet Melissa's Magic Olives)

I recently came from a trip to Atlanta, where me and my group of friends : the Clematis Club (based on an inside joke) went to look for wedding dresses with our fellow clematis, "Sweet Melissa". Sweet Melissa will be married in October, and this was her first official outing to look at dresses. Melissa's mother, Margie, hosted us for the weekend on her ranch. I must say that Margie is the consummate southern hostess. I plan to discuss more in depth in a later post....but really, she could show that lady named Martha a thing or two!

While at the ranch, Margie hosted a wine and cheese tasting. Something I haven't done before. Oh, yes! I've had my share (and then some) of cheese, but wines....not so much.

Margie had a spread for the tasting: grapes, strawberries, almonds, delectable cheeses with crackers and her daughter's recipe for special magic green olives. They were magic, because I do not care for olives. Somehow I missed that gene of appreciation, everyone in my family loves them! So much so that Santa and the Easter bunny brings olives!

When I tried Margie's version of Sweet Melissa's green olives well.....I became a fan of THOSE olives. The  recipe Melissa created came about after she brought some similar olives at Whole Foods. She went home and went to work. I actually tried the WF afterwards, it doesnt hold a candle to Sweet Melissa's version.

I requested the recipe for Sweet Melissa's Magic Olives and she was kind enough to share with me.
But I warn you, these olives are the epitome of crack. You will require a twelve step program to come off of them. They are quite addicting! With that word of warning in mind, and without further ado....


Lemon/Garlic Olives (aka, Sweet Melissa's Magic Olives)


2 cans of unbrined green olives (pitted without pimentos)

---Lindsey naturals Ripe California Green Olives is the brand I found at Publix
3-4 lemons (Zest of 1, 2 juiced, and 2 sliced & placed in the jar)
4 cloves of garlic
mason jar with lid
water
salt


1.I rinsed the olives and placed them in the jar.


2. I zested 1 of the lemons then juiced it, along with another, the other lemon, I sliced and quartered and placed in the jar (i wanted more lemon so I added another, hence the 4th lemon)


3.I minced 2 cloves of garlic, realized I wanted more of a kick so I smacked some garlic with a knife to remove the skin, and threw those in the jar.


4.I added some water to have some shake-ability.


5.Put in the fridge for 2 days.  Shaking once or twice a day.


6. After marination is finished, dress the olives with some extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt or kosher salt. Enjoy!


P.S. After being introduced to the lemon thyme this weekend, that might be good to throw in the jar and/or pluck some leaves and sprinkle just before serving. Just a thought.


Don't forget to ADD the LOVE, one of the most important ingredients in everything you do!


Very true, sweet Melissa! Very true!

Ummmmm!

I just want you to take a look at this spread.....

 

And our choice, as the Clematis Club officially endorsed wine.....

Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2010


Moscato d'Asti is a unique wine where the beautiful aromas of the grapes are enhanced by a crisp, nice acidity, a light frizziness and the sweetness of the natural residual sugar. The low alcohol content makes it a very easy, pleasant wine perfect to finish a meal with dessert or alone, as a nice mid-day break. Price per bottle: about $15.00
 
I have to say that I am NOT a wine drinker, but I am a HUGE fan of this light sparkling white wine.I highly recommend. It is a sweet dessert wine so if you do not like dessert wines, you might not appreciate this one as much as I do. And boy....I do!

Before I go, I want to wish my mother, and Margie (mom of Sweet Melissa) a very Happy Mother's Day.
My mom is my best friend. And Margie treated me like family while I was at her home. I am honored to know such wonderful women.

And I want to wish YOU a very Happy Mother's Day.
Mother's really do make the world go round. And for so many of us, our momma's ARE our world!
Happy Mother's Day!

Speaking of wonderful women......

I highly recommend you gather your favorite girlfriends together and host a wine and cheese party yourself!
There is nothing like good cheese, good wine and great girlfriends.....and momma's
Cheers!

(Pictured: "Happy Hour", "Captain Morgan", Sweet Melissa, Leighla, and "High Maintenance")

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