Spanish Tapa with Marinated Olives, Cured Ham, and Manchego Cheese

Ingredients

Crusty bread

1 loaf, sliced

Manchego cheese

8 ounces, sliced

Cured ham

8 ounces, thinly sliced

Lemon zest

1 teaspoon

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup

Black olives

1 cup, pitted

Green olives

1 cup, pitted

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the green olives, black olives, olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Mix well to ensure the olives are thoroughly coated in the marinade.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the olives marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight for a more intense flavor.
3. On a serving platter, artfully arrange the slices of cured ham, followed by the Manchego cheese. Add the marinated olives in the center, allowing the vibrant colors to shine.
4. Serve with slices of crusty bread on the side, encouraging guests to create their own perfect bites by combining the olives, cheese, and ham on the bread.
5. Enjoy your Spanish tapa with a glass of red wine or a refreshing sherry for an authentic experience!