MQA Gourmet’s green olive paste is delicious eaten straight from the jar with crackers or mixed crudités, but so much more is possible with this delicious spread. Check out our favorite ways to use it below.
1. Spread over crostini
For a delicious appetizer that’s also easy to make, spread olive paste over toasted baguette slices. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fleur de sel before serving. These crostini are also delicious topped with cubed tomatoes and feta or mozzarella cheese.
2. Stuffed into puff pastry
Using store-bought puff pastry makes this impressive appetizer simple to prepare: Spread olive paste over a thawed sheet of puff pastry, and tightly roll one side toward the other to form a log, or from opposite sides to create palmiers. With a sharp, oiled knife, cut into ¼-inch slices and bake in a 350°F oven until the puff pastry is golden, about 10 minutes.
3. Garnished over soup
A simple vegetable soup turns into a beautiful pottage with a dollop of olive spread on top. A drizzle of pumpkin seed oil adds a nutty, creamy flavor.
4. Spread into a sandwich
Create an elevated lunch sandwich by spreading olive paste, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and herbes de Provence between toasted baguette or raisin bread slices.
5. Mixed into a dressing base
Incorporating olive paste into a simple dressing made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard boosts the flavor of lettuce-based salads.
6. Thinned into pesto for pasta
Combine the olive spread with olive oil to obtain a thin paste. Mix into cooked pasta and ¼ cup remaining pasta water and stir over moderate heat until the pasta water is absorbed. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
7. Spread into pizza or flatbreads
Add a savory boost to homemade flatbreads by replacing tomato sauce with olive spread. Toppings like prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, Parmesan shavings, and olive oil are particularly delicious with the paste.
8. Rubbed over meat
Before cooking chicken, turkey, or fish fillets (either in a pan or in the oven) create a compound butter by blending the olive spread with softened butter. Distribute evenly over the meat and cook. For steak, sear over high heat, and serve with a dollop of the compound butter on top.
9. Mixed into bread or savory pastry dough
Incorporate olive paste and whole, pitted olives into raw bread dough before baking for a flavorful and savory loaf or scone. Sun-dried tomatoes and herbs are delicious additions as well.
10. Mixed into ground meat
Mix olive paste and breadcrumbs into ground meat before cooking to boost the flavor of meatballs and burger patties.
