Sep 06 2026
Restaurants›La Baracca›Olive Recipe

Olive Recipe

Inspired by La Baracca
Time25m
Serves4

Warm Mixed Olives - Fried Pita Chips

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Ingredients

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Warm Mixed Olives

Fried Pita Chips

Method

Warm Mixed Olives

  1. 1

    Prepare and heat

    Drain olives if packed in brine and pat dry with paper towel. Thinly slice garlic and strip thyme leaves from stems. Zest the lemon and measure juice.

  2. 2

    Warm olives

    Place a small skillet (6–8 inch) over medium-low heat. Add 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil and warm for about 30 seconds — do not let it smoke.

  3. 3

    Infuse oil

    Add sliced garlic to the warm oil and cook gently 30–45 seconds, stirring, until fragrant and just beginning to color at the edges. Add red pepper flakes and stir 10 seconds to bloom the spice.

  4. 4

    Combine olives and aromatics

    Add the drained olives to the skillet. Increase heat to medium and toss to coat in the garlic-spiced oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3–4 minutes until olives are warmed through and the skins slightly blister.

  5. 5

    Finish flavors

    Remove skillet from heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme leaves, 1 tsp sea salt and cracked black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning — add a pinch more salt or a drizzle (1/2 tsp) of olive oil if needed.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Transfer the warm olives to a shallow bowl. Spoon any remaining flavored oil from the skillet over the olives. Serve immediately with fried pita chips.

Fried Pita Chips

  1. 7

    Prepare pitas

    Stack pita breads and cut each into 6–8 wedges (triangles). Separate layers if using pocket pitas so chips fry evenly.

  2. 8

    Heat oil

    Pour about 1 cup vegetable oil into a medium frying pan to a depth of about 1/4–1/2 inch for shallow frying (or use a deep fryer to 2–3 inches if preferred). Heat oil over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or until a small scrap of pita sizzles on contact.

  3. 9

    Fry chips

    Working in batches to avoid crowding, add a few pita wedges to the hot oil. Fry 45–90 seconds per side until golden and crisp. Use tongs to flip and remove. If using deep oil, chips should puff slightly and take about 30–60 seconds.

  4. 10

    Drain and season

    Transfer fried chips to a paper-towel-lined tray. Immediately sprinkle with fine sea salt and smoked paprika (if using). Continue with remaining wedges until all are fried.

  5. 11

    Alternative oven method

    If you prefer baking: preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush pita wedges lightly with 2 tbs olive oil, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake 8–12 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden. Season with salt and paprika while warm.

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