Cream Cheese and Green Olives Spread Guide and Reviews

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If you're looking to elevate your snack game, look no further than a classic cream cheese and green olives spread.

This creamy and savory combination is a staple in many parts of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

Green olives are a key component of this spread, and they're not just any olives - they're typically pitted and sliced to perfection.

A good cream cheese and green olives spread is all about balance, with a smooth and rich cream cheese base that complements the salty, slightly bitter taste of the olives.

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Preparation and Equipment

To make a delicious cream cheese and green olives spread, you'll need to gather some essential equipment. A stand mixer or hand mixer is perfect for creaming the cheese.

The ideal cheese to use is a high-quality cream cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. This type of cheese is available at most supermarkets.

To ensure the cheese is at room temperature, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before using. This makes it easier to mix and blend.

A sharp knife is necessary for slicing the green olives. Choose olives with a firm texture and a mild flavor.

A serving knife or spatula is great for spreading the cream cheese mixture onto crackers or bread. It's also useful for scraping the sides of the mixing bowl.

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Ingredients and Options

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To make a delicious cream cheese and green olives dip, you'll need to start with the right ingredients. You can use any type of green olives you like, but Manzanilla olives are a popular choice for their slightly smoky, nutty flavor.

Manzanilla olives can be substituted with other green olives or black olives, but keep in mind that the flavor might not be the same. You can also use pitted black olives, finely chopped, for a different twist.

In addition to olives, you'll need cream cheese, sour cream, and olive juice. The olive juice is actually the brine the olives have been marinating in, so it's a great way to add extra flavor to your dip.

You can use a block of cream cheese for a creamier texture, or a tub of cream cheese if that's what you have on hand. Some people prefer to use full-fat cream cheese for a richer flavor, while others like to mix it with sour cream for a lighter taste.

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Here are some options for green olives you can use in your dip:

  • Manzanilla olives (small green olives stuffed with pimiento)
  • Black olives (pitted and finely chopped)
  • Marinated green olives (with chili and garlic)
  • Kalamata olives (salty and flavorful)

Remember, the type of olive you choose will affect the flavor of your dip, so feel free to experiment and find the combination that works best for you.

Instructions and Tips

To make a delicious cream cheese and green olive dip, you'll want to follow these instructions and tips.

Using a food processor or Thermomix is ideal, as it allows you to whip the cream cheese and chop the olives at the same time, making the process even easier.

For the best results, use a block of cream cheese rather than a tub, as it will blend into a creamy texture that can hold the olives.

To make the dip in under 10 minutes, blend cream cheese and sour cream in a small food processor or blender, pulsing until smooth and well mixed.

Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive juice to the cheese mixture, then add the drained olives and grated onion, processing until the olives are finely chopped and well blended.

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Credit: youtube.com, Green olive dip

If using a food processor, pulse the olives 2-3 times to coarsely chop them before adding to the cream cheese.

To avoid a runny dip, be sure to drain the olives thoroughly and consider slicing your own olives rather than using pre-sliced salad olives.

Here's a summary of the steps to make a cream cheese and green olive dip:

  1. Blend cream cheese and sour cream in a food processor or blender.
  2. Add olive juice and process until smooth.
  3. Add drained olives and grated onion, processing until the olives are finely chopped.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Storage and Reviews

Storage is key when it comes to keeping your cream cheese and green olives dip fresh. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing is not recommended, but you can make it with cream cheese that has been frozen. This is a convenient option if you want to make a batch ahead of time.

Reviews from fellow fans of this dip are overwhelmingly positive. One reviewer, KitchieWitchyGoo, loves it on bagels and English Muffins, but also enjoys it as a sandwich or snack with celery, crackers, or chips.

Here are some specific variations that readers have tried and loved:

  • Halving the recipe and adding garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and shredded cheese
  • Using pita chips or Kettle chips as a crunchy snack accompaniment
  • Serving it with crackers for a quick and easy snack

How to Store Spreads

Close-Up shot of Crackers beside Olives on a Wooden Chopping Board
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up shot of Crackers beside Olives on a Wooden Chopping Board

Storing spreads is a crucial step in keeping them fresh and safe to eat. Store them in an airtight container.

You can store most spreads in the fridge, where they'll keep for a decent amount of time. For example, olive cream cheese spread can last for up to a week in the fridge.

Some spreads, like the olive cream cheese spread, don't do well in the freezer. You can make it with frozen cream cheese, but it's not the best option.

If you're not planning to use a spread for a while, it's best to store it in the fridge. This will help keep it fresh and prevent any unwanted bacterial growth.

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Reviews

Reviews from users are a great way to get a feel for how a recipe works in real life.

This recipe is a hit on bagels and English muffins, but it's also great as a sandwich. Users have also used it as a snack, dipping celery pieces, crackers, or chips in it.

Close-up of sushi rolls with cream cheese and salmon on a ceramic platter.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of sushi rolls with cream cheese and salmon on a ceramic platter.

Some users have modified the recipe to suit their tastes, such as omitting the sour cream or adding garlic powder and cayenne pepper.

A user even used this recipe for their catechism home study group and it was a success! They served it with crackers and found it was a great option for a quick and easy snack.

Here are some specific uses for this recipe mentioned by users:

  1. Bagels
  2. English Muffins
  3. Sandwiches
  4. Celery pieces
  5. Crackers
  6. Kettle chips
  7. Pita chips
  8. Crackers (with added garlic powder and cayenne pepper)

History and Variations

This Green Olive Cheese Spread has a fascinating history, born from a copycat recipe created for a store-bought dip only available in Mexico.

The crucial ingredients for this homemade recipe were identified through online research and phone calls with a childhood best friend, Katey Hartwell.

My family recipe for Benedictine Cheese shares similarities with the store-bought dip, including cream cheese, sour cream, and onion.

Replacing cucumber with Manzanilla green olives stuffed with pimiento was a key move in creating this unique dip.

Tossing in a touch of olive juice added brightness and boosted the olive flavor, making this dip a hit with even those who don't typically enjoy green olives.

Since its creation, I've served this dish multiple times to rave reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheeses go well with green olives?

Castelvetrano olives pair well with a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, gouda, and gruyere. Other options like colby, colby jack, and havarti also complement their mild taste.

Roger Molenaar

Senior Writer

Roger Molenaar is a writer who loves to explore the world and write about his experiences. He has been traveling for years, having visited over 50 countries around the globe. His passion for learning about different cultures and meeting new people is evident in his writing, which often features insights into local customs and traditions.

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