JOE'S FRIED OLIVES & LEMONS

Fried Lemons and Olives as part of a charcuterie spread

Either made separately, or together, this combo will add an extra wow factor to any charcuterie board.

Since people sometimes wonder about frying in olive oil... Joe swears this brings an indispensable flavor element that sets this dish apart with a rich, mediterranean flavor. Olive oil also has a smoke-point of about 405 degrees and this frying happens at around 350, so we are well in the clear.

INGREDIENTS

• ONE JAR OF OLIVES OF YOUR CHOOSING (PITTED OF COURSE). STUFFED OLIVES ARE EVEN BETTER!

• THINLY SLICED LEMONS (ABOUT 1/8" THICK), SEEDS REMOVED

• CALIFORNIA OLIVE RANCH OLIVE OIL. ENOUGH TO FILL YOUR FRYING PAN TO 1/2 INCH DEPTH

• ONE CUP OF FLOUR

For the Breadcrumbs Mixture

• 1 CONTAINER (15 OUNCES OR SO) OF BREAD CRUMBS.

• 1 TBSP DRIED OREGANO

• 1 TSP GARLIC POWDER

• 1 TSP FRESH GROUND PEPPER

For the egg dip

Whisk together the following:

• 3 EGGS

• 1 TSP GARLIC POWDER

• 1 TSP DRIED OREGANO

• (OPTIONAL) SEPARATED LEAVES OF FRESH OREGANO

DIRECTIONS

Coating the olives and/or lemons...

ARRANGE THREE DEEP DISHES SIDE BY SIDE AND ADD TO EACH THE FLOUR, THE EGG MIXTURE (YOU CAN BEAT IT TOGETHER RIGHT IN ITS DISH) AND THE BREADCRUMBS.

ALSO HAVE A LARGE PLATE OR TRAY AT THE READY TO PLACE THE BREADED ITEMS.

FOR EITHER THE LEMONS OR THE OLIVES, COAT THEM AS FOLLOWS...

FIRST, FLOUR...

THEN THE EGG MIXTURE...

THEN THE BREAD CRUMBS...

JOE LIKES TO USE A FORK FOR THIS SO HIS FINGERS DON'T GET CAKED WITH BREADCRUMBS.

YOU CAN ALSO DO THIS FIRST PART AHEAD OF TIME AND KEEP THE BREADED OLIVES AND/OR LEMONS IN THE FRIDGE UNTIL READY TO FRY.

Frying...

FILL THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN WITH ABOUT 1/2 INCH OF OLIVE OIL AND HEAT TO 350 DEGREES.

ADD THE BREADED ITEMS TO THE PAN AND ARRANGE THEM NEATLY WITH A FORK. DON'T CROWD THEM.

(IF YOU USE TONGS, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THAT CAN DAMAGE THE BREADED COATING).

FLIP OR TURN THEM OCCASIONALLY UNTIL THEY ARE GOLDEN BROWN ALL OVER.

REMOVE TO A TRAY LINED WITH PAPER TOWELS TO ABSORB EXCESS OILS.

GARNISH WITH A SPRINKLE OF FRESH OREGANO LEAVES.

ENJOY!