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cheese & olive appetizer tree

(1 rating)
IdGirl25 avatar
Recipe by
Brandi Kirkpatrick
@IdGirl25
Burley, ID

This is a fun appetizer, especially for Winter-time celebrations. I recommend using the Rosemary sprigs for a true tree like look! Use a variety of cheeses and other firm olives. Remember, don't prepare this too far in advance because it will dry out! Another idea (which I haven't tried) is use different fruits in place of the olives!

(1 rating)
yield 30 serving(s)
prep time 55 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For cheese & olive appetizer tree

  • 1 bottle (10 oz) small pimiento-stuffed olives
  • 1 bottle (11 oz) large pimiento-stuffed olives
  • 6 oz pitted kalamata or ripe olives
  • 1 block (1 lb) colby cheese
  • 1 package (125-count) toothpicks
  • 1 cone shape (9 inches tall) green or white floral foam
  • rosemary sprigs, if desired

How To Make cheese & olive appetizer tree

  • 1
    Drain olives. Cut block of cheese horizontally into 2 pieces, each about 1/2 inch thick. Cut cheese with 1-inch star-shape canapé cutter. Cover cheese stars with plastic wrap.
  • 2
    Break toothpicks in half as needed; push each olive onto toothpick half. Starting at bottom of cone, insert toothpicks until they stay securely in place. Continue placing olives in random order on tree, varying sizes and leaving spaces for the cheese stars. (For stability of the tree, place most of the larger olives near the bottom.)
  • 3
    Push each cheese star onto toothpick half; insert into cone among the olives. Top tree with a cheese star that has been inserted horizontally on toothpick between points of star. Insert rosemary sprigs randomly between olives and cheese. Cover loosely and refrigerate no longer than 8 hours before serving.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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