Martini Sticks: Cream Cheese, Olive, and Blue Cheese Stuffed Celery Recipe
Introduction
Martini Sticks are a refreshing and savory appetizer featuring creamy cheese and tangy olives stuffed into crisp celery sticks. Perfect for parties or a light snack, they combine bold flavors with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, drained and roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup olive brine
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 ounces creamy blue cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-2 bunches of celery
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2: Add the chopped Castelvetrano olives, olive brine, lemon zest, blue cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Step 3: Wash the celery stalks and slice them into sticks about 4 inches long.
- Step 4: Using a small spoon, knife, or piping bag, fill the hollow part of each celery stick with the olive and cheese mixture.
- Step 5: Arrange the stuffed celery sticks on a serving tray or dish and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder olive flavor, substitute Castelvetrano olives with green olives or Kalamata olives for a more robust taste.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the mixture for a spicy kick.
- Serve with extra lemon zest sprinkled on top for a fresh aroma.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a resealable plastic bag with a corner cut off to pipe the filling neatly.
Storage
Store leftover stuffed celery sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture and flavor, consume within this time. Reheat is not recommended; serve chilled.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare Martini Sticks in advance?
Yes, you can prepare and assemble them a few hours ahead. Just keep them refrigerated and cover them tightly to prevent the celery from drying out.
Can I use other types of cheese?
Absolutely! While blue cheese provides a distinctive flavor, you can substitute it with feta or goat cheese for a different but equally delicious taste.
PrintMartini Sticks: Cream Cheese, Olive, and Blue Cheese Stuffed Celery Recipe
Martini Sticks are a delightful appetizer featuring creamy blue cheese and olive filling piped into crisp celery sticks. This refreshing, tangy treat combines the smoothness of cream cheese, the briny bite of Castelvetrano olives and olive brine, and the mellow crunch of celery, perfect for parties or a light snack chilled to enhance the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, drained and roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup olive brine
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 ounces creamy blue cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1–2 bunches of celery
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and beat it until smooth and creamy to create a perfect base for the filling.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the roughly chopped Castelvetrano olives, olive brine, creamy blue cheese, salt, and black pepper to the smooth cream cheese. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all flavors.
- Slice Celery: Prepare the celery by slicing the stalks into sticks approximately 4 inches long, ensuring each piece is easy to handle and suitable for filling.
- Fill Celery Sticks: Use a small spoon or knife to carefully spread the olive cheese mixture into the hollow center of each celery stick, or for a cleaner presentation, use a piping bag to pipe the mixture inside.
- Chill: Arrange the filled celery sticks on a serving tray or dish and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese and blue cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- Castelvetrano olives have a mild, buttery flavor, but you can substitute with other green olives if unavailable.
- Adding lemon zest brightens the filling, but it can be omitted if preferred.
- Use fresh celery for maximum crunch and crispness.
- Serving chilled enhances the texture and flavor combination.
Keywords: celery sticks, blue cheese appetizer, olive cheese dip, no-cook snack, party appetizer, creamy cheese filling
