Simply rinsing olives and warming them a little refreshes their flavor; adding some herbs and garlic and a little zest makes them even more delightful.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 cup

　　1 cup olives with pits (use an assortment of flavors and colors)

　　2 teaspoons olive oil

　　1 garlic clove, peeled and quartered

　　1 chile, fresh or dried

　　3 thyme or savory sprigs

　　2 strips of orange or lemon zest

　　

Step 1

Rinse in a strainer under running water: 1 cup olives with pits (use an assortment of flavors and colors).

　　

Step 2

Set aside to drain.

　　

Step 3

Heat, in a small heavy pan: 2 teaspoons olive oil.

　　

Step 4

Add the drained olives with: 1 garlic clove, peeled and quartered, 1 chile, fresh or dried, 3 thyme or savory sprigs, 2 strips of orange or lemon zest.

　　

Step 5

Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until the olives are warm all the way through. Turn off the heat and leave them in the warm pan for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm, if possible. They can easily be reheated.

　　

Variations

Step 6

Substitute other herbs for the thyme or savory.

　　

Step 7

Add whole seeds such as fennel, cumin, caraway, or black mustard seed.

　　

Step 8

Add a few pinches of cayenne or paprika.

　　The Art of Simple Food