Description
This Olive Ricotta Dip is a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer that combines creamy ricotta cheese with a warm, zesty olive topping. Featuring Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives cooked with orange juice, honey, and aromatic spices, this dip offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Ideal for serving with crackers, pita bread, or sliced baguette, it’s a quick and elegant dish perfect for entertaining or casual snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 16 ounces Ricotta cheese
Olive Mixture
- 10 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives
- 5 ounces pitted Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon sumac
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Base: Spread the ricotta cheese evenly in a large, shallow bowl and set it aside to serve as the creamy base for the dip.
- Chop Olives: Slice the Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives into thirds or roughly chop them to your preferred texture to ensure even distribution in the topping.
- Cook Olives and Flavorings: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Once hot, add the sliced olives, freshly squeezed orange juice, and honey. Stir continuously until the honey dissolves, then let the mixture cook for 2 to 3 minutes to warm the olives and blend the flavors.
- Add Spices: Stir in the orange zest, sea salt, Italian seasoning, sumac, and ground black pepper. Cook for an additional minute to marry the spices with the olive mixture, then remove from heat.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the warm olive topping over the ricotta spread. Drizzle any remaining oil from the skillet over the top, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately alongside crackers, pita bread, sliced baguette, or chips.
Notes
- You can substitute Castelvetrano olives with green olives if unavailable, but they provide a unique buttery texture and mild flavor.
- For a vegan version, replace ricotta cheese with a plant-based ricotta alternative.
- Adjust the honey amount based on your preference for sweetness.
- Sumac adds a tangy citrus note but can be omitted if unavailable; lemon zest can be used as a substitute.
- Serve the dip immediately for best flavor and texture.
