Savory Olive Madeleines

17/11/2023

Savory olive madeleines are a delicious and original variation of the classic French sweet madeleine. I’ll be pleased to guide you in the preparation of this tasty snack.

Ingredients

130 g of flour
1/2 packet of chemical leavening 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

Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a madeleine pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper, if necessary.
In a bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, stirring to distribute the leavening evenly.
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.
Slowly incorporate the melted butter into the egg mixture, mixing well.
Alternating, add the dry ingredients (flour and leavening) and milk to the egg and butter mixture, stirring until you get a smooth and uniform batter.
Cut the olives into rings or small pieces and gently fold them into the batter along with the grated cheese and aromatic herbs, if using.
Fill each madeleine mold about 2/3 full to leave room for the batter to rise during baking.
Bake the savory madeleines for about 10-12 minutes or until they are golden and slightly puffed up.
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 is perfectly suited for aperitifs or to accompany salads and soups.

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