I will admit that I’m not always the best about posting super simple recipes. This might be the place you come for treats, tofu, and tasty vegetarian fare, but it’s probably not your first choice of blogs if your guests are coming in five minutes and you need a recipe. I like super simple as much as the next person but I am, inexplicably, drawn to more tedious and complicated things in the kitchen.
No more! Give me :10 and you’ve got something pretty and delicious. There is no effort here beyond slicing goat cheese and heating up some oil. I always have these ingredients on hand and also always have crackers, so if you are coming to my house any time soon, you know what we are having as an appetizer.
Goat Cheese with Olives, Lemon, and Thyme
Adapted from Gourmet
Serves 4-6
½ cup assorted olives
3 fresh thyme sprigs (use lemon thyme if possible)
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
4-5 ounces soft goat cheese (such as Montrachet), sliced
Heat olives, thyme, oil, zest, and ¼ tsp. pepper in a small skillet or saucepan over low heat until fragrant (do not simmer). Cool to room temperature. Serve olive mixture over goat cheese. (This dish can be prepared 2 hours ahead and kept, covered, at room temperature.)
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Well, as you know I rarely do the quick and easy thing either (and even when I try to, taking photos takes me so long that really nothing is quick) but it really is great when you stumble across a recipe that manages to be both quick and impressive. this is both.
Comment by Joanne — July 3, 2011 @ 7:56 pm
I love how “simple” can be absolutely DELICOUS! I need to save this to my pinterest board so that I don’t forget it one day when I want/need a simple appetizer in my life! Thanks Dana!
Comment by Monique — July 4, 2011 @ 6:05 pm
i love anything with goat cheese.. i used to dislike olives particularly when i was pregnant, but for some reason now i absolutely love olives.. great recipe..
Comment by cassie — July 5, 2011 @ 1:47 pm
I love love love goat cheese, and thyme and lemon..but do not like olives. Can you suggest an alternative? However my husband loves olives, so I may make it anyway just for him :)
Comment by AnnieM — July 5, 2011 @ 6:51 pm