Three delicious Olive recipes to elevate your next dinner party

If you’re looking to bring big flavour to the table without spending hours in the kitchen, olives might just be your new best friend. Packed with heart-healthy fats and Mediterranean goodness, olives add instant depth to starters, cocktails and main meals – and they’re perfect for home cooks who want maximum taste with minimum fuss.

Whether you’re entertaining friends, planning a relaxed dinner for two, or simply love experimenting with bold flavours, this three-course olive menu – featuring an easy olive focaccia starter, a crisp dirty martini, and a comforting Mediterranean olive chicken bake – is a simple way to enjoy a restaurant-quality night at home.

RECIPE 1: Warm Olive & Rosemary Focaccia Starter

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour
1 cup warm water
2 tsp dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil
¾ cup mixed olives, pitted and roughly chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
Sea salt flakes, to finish

Method

In a bowl, mix warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
Add flour, salt and 2 tbsp olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead for 5 minutes, then cover and rest for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
Press dough into a small, greased baking tray.
Dimple the surface with your fingers, drizzle remaining olive oil, and sprinkle the chopped olives and rosemary on top.
Rest for another 15 minutes.
Bake at 200°C for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Finish with a pinch of sea salt flakes and serve warm.

RECIPE 2: Classic Dirty Olive Martini

Ingredients

60ml gin or vodka
10–20ml olive brine (depending on how “dirty” you like it)
Ice
2–3 green olives, for garnish

Method

Fill a shaker with ice.
Add gin/vodka and olive brine.
Shake well for 10–15 seconds.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with skewered olives.

Tip: Swap regular olives for stuffed ones (garlic, feta or chilli) for an extra flavour hit.

RECIPE 3: One-Pan Mediterranean Olive & Lemon Chicken Bake

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin on
1 cup mixed olives
1 large lemon, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 190°C.
In a baking dish, combine chicken, olives, lemon slices, onion and garlic.
Drizzle olive oil over the top and season with oregano, paprika, salt and pepper.
Toss well to coat everything evenly.
Roast for 45–50 minutes, or until chicken is golden and juices run clear.
Serve with rice, mashed potato or crusty bread to soak up the pan juices.