Recipe: As Good As It Gets Olive Salad

AS GOOD AS IT GETS OLIVE SALAD

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
20 large green olives, chopped
15 extra-large or colossal black olives, chopped
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
6 cloves fresh garlic, chopped, more or less
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped sweet red onion
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:
pickled mushrooms
artichoke hearts
crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Combine the bell pepper strips and olives and set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, red onion, cayenne, salt and pepper.

Pour the vinaigrette over the olive-pepper mixture and stir. Cover and refrigerate.

As the salad marinates, feel free to keep adding ingredients such as pickled mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.

Source: The Elegant Olive by Teresa Kennedy