I cannot believe I don’t make this more often; it is dead simple to toss together, wicked tasty, and even folk who don’t care for olives seem to like it.
Winning, right?
We were having folk over for dinner, and I was putting together an assortment of munchies; cheese, sausage, some beer pickles, pepper relish, and pickled green beans. I just needed one more little spread to make it complete.
I’m not known for restraint when it comes to planning gathering menus.
INGREDIENTS
•8 oz cream cheese, softened
•1 tbsp mayonnaise
•1/4 cup chopped green olives
•2 tbsp olive juice
•1/4 tsp black pepper
•1/4 tsp garlic powder
•1/8 tsp celery salt
•1/2 tsp dried shallot
•2 tbsp vodka*
•1/2 tsp dried chives
•Additional sliced olives (to taste)
*Sure, you can leave the vodka out, and the spread will taste fine. It’s just a little bit better with the vodka.
Mix all of the ingredients together – I use an electric hand mixer – until blended, then stash in a covered bowl in the fridge for a couple of hours or, always more better, overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Once I had this batch mixed together, I took a taste and stirred in the dried chives and additional sliced olives, just because I thought it could use it.
When ready to serve, scoop into a martini glass, garnish with additional olives, if you like, and serve with crackers or flat bread.
Have your martini and eat it, too!
I like that in a munchie!