Festive Holiday Dishes

November 29, 2022

Festive Holiday Dishes

Rita is recognized for successfully bringing the best of Mediterranean cuisine to American homes and restaurants for the past 15 years. She built a reputation for using her diverse/ international background to create fun events around the cooking experience for adults and children. Her passion for food and cooking comes from her belief that one of the best ways to show love is to feed others.

Kalamata Olive Tapenade

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 cups Kalamata Olives, pitted
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Juice of 1⁄2 lemon
  • 1 tbsp. lemon peel
  • 1 tbsp. capers
  • 1 anchovy fillet (optional)
  • 1⁄2 tbsp. fresh Thyme
  • 1⁄2 tbsp. fresh Oregano
  • 1⁄4 cup EVOO
  • 2 pinches of fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
  • A bouquet of fresh mint
  •  French Baguette

Directions: 

1. Combine all ingredients, except tomatoes, mint, and baguette, in a food processor. Pulse until well combined.
2. Slice the baguette into thin slices.
3. Spread tapenade on each slice, and top with half a cherry tomato and mint leaf.
4. Serve immediately.

Functional Food Benefit:

Kalamata olives are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. They have been linked to multiple health benefits including protection against heart disease.

Charcuterie Wreath

Ingredients: 

  • 15-20 slices of thin-cut salame
  • 1.5 cups marinated pitted whole olives
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups of small, marinated mozzarella balls
  • 20 sprigs of fresh Rosemary
  • 15-20 bamboo cocktail skewers, preferably 4-inch
    skewers

Directions: 

1. Place all ingredients, minus rosemary, on skewers, in the same order for every skewer.
2. On a flat platter, rotate skewers and rosemary until you have a full circle.

Functional Food Benefit:

Mozzarella cheese is a source of probiotics which is important for gut health and can help support the immune system.