Charming Cream Cheese Olive Penguins
Dive into a delightful snack with these Charming Cream Cheese Olive Penguins! Perfect for parties or a fun family lunch, these adorable appetizer penguins are created using pitted ripe olives stuffed with a zesty cream cheese filling. Their little carrot beaks and pimento scarves add a whimsical touch, making them not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Brighten any gathering with these unique and playful bites that are sure to impress both kids and adults alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Jumbo pitted ripe olives
1 (5 3/4 ounce) can (drained)
Cream cheese
1 (3 ounce) package (softened)
Dried onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon
Prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon
Salt
1/8 teaspoon
Pepper
1 dash
Garlic powder
1 dash
Medium carrot
1 (cut into 1/4 inch slices)
Small pitted ripe olives
12
Toothpicks with cellophane frilled tops
12
Sliced pimientos
1 (2 ounce) jar
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your kitchen workspace and gathering all the necessary ingredients.
2
Cut a small slit, about 1 inch long, down the side of 12 jumbo pitted ripe olives; set these aside for later use.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, dried onion flakes, horseradish, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
4
Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a small heavy-duty plastic bag. Seal the bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a piping bag.
5
Gently pipe the cream cheese mixture into each of the slit jumbo olives until they are filled to the top. Set these filled olives aside.
6
To prepare the penguin feet, take a medium carrot and cut it into 1/4 inch thick slices. Remove a small triangle from one side of each carrot slice to create a 'notch' for the foot.
7
Position each filled jumbo olive on top of a carrot slice, aligning the notch to serve as the base for the feet.
8
For the penguin head, take a small pitted ripe olive and place it hole side down on top of the jumbo olive and carrot slice. Ensure that the beak, chest, and feet are lined up.
9
Insert a toothpick through the top of the small olive head down into the jumbo olive and the carrot slice below, securing the penguin's body.
10
Finally, take a slice of pimento and wrap it around the neck area of the jumbo olive, resembling a cozy scarf.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Charming Cream Cheese Olive Penguins?
They are a whimsical appetizer made from jumbo and small pitted olives stuffed with a zesty cream cheese filling, featuring carrot feet and pimento scarves.
What ingredients are needed for the penguin filling?
The filling consists of softened cream cheese, dried onion flakes, prepared horseradish, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
What kind of olives should I use for the penguin's body?
You should use jumbo pitted ripe olives for the body of the penguins.
What kind of olives are used for the penguin's head?
Small pitted ripe olives are used to create the heads of the penguins.
How do I create the penguin's feet?
Cut a medium carrot into 1/4 inch thick slices and remove a small triangle from one side to create a 'notch' that looks like feet.
How do I fill the olives with the cream cheese mixture?
Transfer the mixture into a plastic bag, snip off a corner to make a piping bag, and pipe the filling into a 1-inch slit cut down the side of the jumbo olives.
What is used to keep the penguin assembly together?
A toothpick is inserted through the top of the small olive head, down through the jumbo olive body, and into the carrot slice base.
How do I add the penguin's scarf?
Wrap a slice of pimiento around the neck area where the small olive meets the jumbo olive.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian as it contains only olives, vegetables, and dairy-based cream cheese.
What occasions are these olive penguins best for?
They are perfect for parties, family lunches, game days, and any gathering where you want a fun, kid-friendly snack.
How thick should the carrot slices be?
The carrot slices for the feet should be approximately 1/4 inch thick.
What type of toothpicks are recommended?
Toothpicks with cellophane frilled tops are recommended for this recipe.
How many jumbo olives are prepared in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 jumbo pitted ripe olives to be slit and filled.
Does the cream cheese need to be a specific temperature?
The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it mixes thoroughly with the spices and is easy to pipe.
What provides the 'zesty' flavor in the filling?
The combination of horseradish, dried onion flakes, and garlic powder provides the zesty flavor profile.
How long should the slit in the jumbo olive be?
The slit down the side of the jumbo olive should be about 1 inch long.
How should the small olive be positioned on the body?
Place the small olive hole-side down on top of the jumbo olive, ensuring the 'beak' area aligns with the chest and feet.
Can I use any type of carrot?
A medium-sized carrot is best to ensure the slices are large enough to support the jumbo olive body.
Is there any prep required for the olives before assembly?
The jumbo olives should be drained from their can before you begin the assembly process.
What is the primary flavor profile of this appetizer?
The flavor profile is savory and creamy with a slight kick from the horseradish.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
What size of pimiento jar is needed?
A 2-ounce jar of sliced pimientos is required for the penguin scarves.
What should the consistency of the cream cheese filling be?
It should be mixed until all ingredients are well combined and the texture is smooth.
Are these penguins suitable for kids?
Yes, they are described as a fun food and a treat for both kids and adults.
Can I substitute the dried onion flakes?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried onion flakes for the correct flavor and texture.
Is any special equipment needed?
A heavy-duty plastic bag is used to pipe the filling, along with toothpicks for assembly.
What does the carrot notch represent?
The small triangle removed from the carrot slice creates a 'notch' that serves as the penguin's feet.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for just a 'dash' of garlic powder.
Should I use canned or fresh olives?
The recipe suggests using a 5 3/4 ounce can of jumbo pitted ripe olives.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your kitchen workspace and gather all necessary ingredients.