Stuffed Olives Delight

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Maltese Żebbuġ mimli is transformed into a Midwestern American delight. The original recipe typically uses local ingredients such as Maltese sausage and Mediterranean spices. To adapt it to Midwestern American cuisine, we substitute the Maltese sausage with ground beef and incorporate flavors commonly found in Midwestern cooking. This fusion creates a unique blend of Mediterranean and American flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. We alse have the original recipe for Żebbuġ mimli, so you can check it out.

• 24 large green olives, pitted 24 large green olives, pitted
• 200g (7oz) ground beef 200g (7oz) ground beef
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat: 14g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (Sugars: 1g)
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Take each pitted olive and stuff it with a small amount of the ground beef mixture. Press the olive gently to seal the filling inside.
3. 3.
   Roll each stuffed olive in flour, dip it in beaten egg, and then coat it with breadcrumbs.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat. Fry the stuffed olives in batches until golden brown and crispy, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
5. 5.
   Remove the fried olives from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. 6.
   Serve the Stuffed Olives warm as an appetizer or snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. Make sure to cook it thoroughly to ensure food safety.
• Olives — Select firm and plump green olives for stuffing. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use black olives instead.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the ground beef mixture.
• Serve the Stuffed Olives with a side of marinara sauce or tzatziki for dipping.
• If you prefer a healthier alternative, you can bake the stuffed olives in the oven instead of frying them. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Serving advice

Serve the Stuffed Olives as an appetizer at your next gathering or enjoy them as a tasty snack. Arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for easy serving.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese over the Stuffed Olives before serving. Serve them on a decorative plate or a wooden board for an appealing visual display.