I love olives and I love chocolate but I’ve never loved the two together in one mouthful. Stay with me I’m going somewhere good, somewhere wonderful in fact because combined in baked-good deliciousness, these two are an unlikely but perfect pair.
The matchmaker extraordinaire, Mr pine nut, brings them together in crunchy harmony. If you do choose to trust me you’ll think I’m a little nuts as an unusual aroma drifts from your oven while your chocolate biscotti with olives are baking away.
Don’t dismiss me though, let them cool and take a bite. You will need a little force to bite off a piece but as you start to munch all the seemingly-strange ingredients meld together into something pretty amazing. The olives provide a saltiness that makes the chocolate (make sure you use the good stuff) taste even better and somehow the pinenuts ground the whole biscuit.
If you want to be outrageously adventurous, while you’re at your local deli buying your olives (because you’re going to race out and get some right now aren’t you?), pick up some creamy brie and try it spread on a choc-olive biscotti. Thank me later. Enjoy!
What about you? Have you ever tried olives with something sweet?
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 organic egg
- 135 g 4.8oz caster sugar
- 210 g 7.4oz plain flour
- 25 g 1oz best-quality cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 65 g 2 oz pitted black olives (I used Kalamata), chopped
- 50 g 1.7oz pine nuts
- 100 g 3.5oz good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 50 ml ⅕ cup good-quality olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 150C fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg and sugar until it is pale and light and voluminous.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together and then sift it into the mixer bowl and mix it through.
- Add the olives, chocolate and pin enuts and mix them through.
- Add the olive oil and keep beating, slowly, until it all comes together.
- Add the water if you need a little more liquid.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each one into a log about 20cm long and 5cm wide.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Take the logs out of the oven and slice them up to about 1cm thickness then lay them on their sides on the baking tray.
- Turn the oven down to 120C fan-forced and pop the tray back in.
- Bake for another 20-30 minutes or until they are firm.
- Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before devouring.
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celia says
Wow Claire! When I clicked on this post, I assumed you'd used olive OIL, but actual olives! You're adventurous and creative! :)
Claire says
Nope, I went all in on this one Celia! I can't take the creative credit, it was an actual recipe but I was brave trying it :-) (I like to think so anyway!)
Jessica says
These look divine, but it's true that I can't imagine the flavor at all. Those pine nuts must add such great crunch, and chocolate - you know you've got me there. These look delightful to go with tea!
Claire says
You did say you have some olives Jess!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Brie and biscotti!! hmm I really MUST give this a try!
Claire says
Yes you must!
Julia says
What an awesome combo! And I love that you suggested spreading brie on them!
Claire says
I have to give me family friend credit for that. I gifted her a couple and she tried it out.
The Café Sucre Farine says
Never would have put the two together but now that you've brought it up, it sound like it might be quite amazing, fun and unique ............. just like you Claire! :)
Claire says
You're too sweet Chris! It sounds like a Chris experiment to me :-)
The Life of Clare says
This sounds crazy weird Claire! But sofar everything I've cooked off your blog has been a winner, so I'm going to trust you, but im not running out right now to buy olives.
Claire says
Doesn't it?! Haha ok.
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
I didn't realize you could pair these two, but you make it sound really tasty!
Claire says
It's an interesting combo!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe you're going to laugh but I went with a chocolate and olive combination this week too but it's a cake! Same wavelength ;)
Claire says
Really?!? I actually made these months ago but totally forgot about them! Very interested to see your cake!
toni says
This sounds so interesting and I would love to try them , however we don't use the metric system in the USA, can you convert the measurements so I can judge for my self. They look great.
Claire says
Hi Toni. Thank you. No problem. I have updated the recipe.
Hotly Spiced says
This is so dark. It looks really good and a great way to finish a meal xx
Claire says
It's definitely a talking point Charlie!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I've never put olives in any biscotti or cookie. I'm trying to imagine the combination. :)
Claire says
It's hard to imagine Maureen. You'll just have to try!