BAKED OLIVES

6 cloves garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup olive oil
3 cups black olives

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Cut garlic into slivers and combine with thyme, pepper flakes and oil in a baking pan. Add olives and toss.

Bake until olives are plump, about 40 minutes. Let cool; refrigerate.

To serve, bring to room temperature and lift olives out of the oil.

Leftover oil can be used to dress pasta or vegetables.

Source: For Women First, August, 1991