Baked Cheddar Olives with Parmesan Dipping Sauce

By cecelia26_

Ingredients

• Dipping Sauce:
• 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• a 3-ounce jar small pimiento-stuffed green olives (about 24), drained (save 2 tablespoons of the olive water) and patted dry
• 1 - 2 tablespoons of the olive water, as needed
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Details

Adapted from cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com

Preparation

Step 1

1.Line a baking sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2.In a medium bowl mix the cheese and butter together. Add the flour and cayenne and blend the dough until it is combined well. The dough will be shaggy but should stick together when scooped into a ball and pressed together with your hands. Add a little olive water if needed until the dough comes together.
3.Working one at a time scoop up tablespoons of the dough, press it together flat and mold it around an olive. Place on baking sheet 1-inch apart and repeat until all the dough is used.
4.Bake 14 - 16 minutes until lightly golden.

Meanwhile make the dipping sauce:
5.In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, Parmesan and mustard.
6.Serve hot or at room temperature.

*These can be made ahead of time and frozen so they're party ready to pop in the oven.