Il Cucinologo
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Savory Olive Madeleines

17/11/2023

The savory olive madeleines are an exquisite and original variation of the more classic sweet madeleine of French origin. I will be happy to guide you in the preparation of this tasty snack.

Ingredients

  • 130 g of flour
  • 1/2 packet of baking powder for savory cakes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 80 g of butter, melted and cooled
  • 60 ml of milk
  • 100 g of pitted black or green olives (depending on your preference)
  • 50 g of grated cheese (such as parmesan or pecorino)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • A pinch of chopped aromatic herbs (for example, thyme or rosemary), if desired

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a madeleine pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper, if necessary.
  2. In a bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, stirring to distribute the baking powder evenly.
  3. In another larger bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper until you obtain a frothy and slightly lightened mixture.
  4. Slowly incorporate the melted butter into the egg mixture, stirring well.
  5. Alternating, add the dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) and the milk to the egg and butter mixture, stirring until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous batter.
  6. Cut the olives into slices or small pieces and gently incorporate them into the batter along with the grated cheese and aromatic herbs, if using.
  7. Fill each cavity of the madeleine pan about 2/3 full, to leave room for the batter to rise during baking.
  8. Bake the savory madeleines for about 10-12 minutes or until they are golden and slightly puffed.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before unmolding.

Trivia

Madeleines are very famous in France and often associated with childhood memories, especially for their presence in the literary work “In Search of Lost Time” by Marcel Proust. The savory version is a modern adaptation that lends itself perfectly to aperitifs or to accompany salads and soups.

I recommend serving these delicious madeleines with an aperitif or as an appetizer at a dinner with friends. Enjoy your meal!