Cracked Green Olives with Herbs and Preserved Lemon

Description
CRACKED GREEN OLIVES WITH HERBS AND PRESERVED LEMON

Ingredients

 * 1 pound small to medium brine-cured green olives (preferably cracked)*
 * 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander
 * 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
 * peel of 1/2 preserved lemon, cut into julienne strips, plus 3 tablespoons preserved lemon juice to taste
 * 2 tablespoons olive oil
 * 2 garlic cloves, minced
 * 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
 * a pinch dried red hot pepper flakes

Directions
If using uncracked whole olives, crush lightly with flat side of large knife on a cutting board. In a large bowl cover olives with cold water and soak 4 hours to remove excess salt. Drain olives well. In a bowl stir together olives and remaining ingredients and marinate, covered and chilled, at least 6 hours or overnight. Olives may be prepared 1 week ahead and kept chilled, covered.

Serve olives at room temperature.

Makes about 3 cups.