Appetizer #5 - Cheese Puff Surprises (Olive Stuffed Cheese Puffs)

 The Year of Appetizers

Appetizer #5 - Cheese Puff Surprises (Olive Stuffed Cheese Puffs)

    This is the very first recipe in Hearts and Flours, published in 1988 by the Junior League of Waco. The Junior organization aims to improve communities, as well as the social, cultural and political fabric of society. They are a non-profit organization that places women in volunteer positions in a variety of charities.  I have known several Junior League members through my own volunteer work and my first match with Big Brothers Big Sisters benefited from their generosity when we attended several events that were sponsored and/or lead by Junior League members. 

    I am not a fan of olives, but I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and make these for my church ladies group gathering; I tasted though and I like them! Yummy. You can substitute ham, jalapeno, bacon or you could just make plain un-stuffed puffs. You could also try replacing the paprika with spicy seasoning or garlic powder. There are so many options! 

Try these out, because I think you'll like them. I'm definitely going to make these again, using at least one of the possible substitutions. 

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (or try using your favorite, like Monterrey Jack)

1 stick softened margarine

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

48 green olives, well drained (I used a 10oz jar of pimento stuffed queen olives and had several leftover)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend flour, salt and paprika. Blend cheese and softened margarine in a mixing bowl. Mix in the flour mixture. Flatten a teaspoon or a little more (You'll figure out the amount that works best for you)  into a tiny patty in your hand. Pick up an olive and wrap the cheese "patty" around the olive, ensuring that it completely covers the olive. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 15 minutes. 

*I ended up with 46 puffs. I could have had 48, but I used to much cheese mixture on a lot of them early on.

Cheese Puff Surprises
(Olive Stuffed Cheese Puffs