A Great Way to Serve Olives & Cheese

• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

Olive Mixture

2 cups assorted olives

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 sprigs each of rosemary and thyme

2 fresh red chilies

4 cloves garlic, peeled and bruised

2 bay leaves

2 large pieces lemon peel from a clean, organic lemon

Herb Oil Mixture for Cheese

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 Tbsp peppercorns

1 tsp dried thyme

1/2 lb soft goat cheese, at room temperature

Directions

Place the olive marinade ingredients in a medium saucepan and warm over low heat until aromatic, approximately 30 minutes.

Pour about 1/3 cup of the warm herb infused oil into a separate small saucepan. Lightly crush the mustard, fennel and peppercorns and add them, along with the thyme, to the oil. Allow the herbs to infuse the oil, on low heat, approximately 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

Place the goat cheese in the center of a small platter and surround it with the marinated olives. Pour the oil and crushed herbs over the cheese.

Garnish the platter with the marinated peppers, lemon peel and rosemary. Serve with a baguette or crackers.

The oil marinade should not be warm enough to melt the cheese.