Kicked Up Pepper-Stuffed Green Olives

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pitted large green olives*
• 1 red bell pepper, roasted, seeded and cut into strips 1/2-inch by 1-inch
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried hot pepper flakes

Directions

Fold the bell pepper strips in 1/2 lengthwise and carefully stuff into the pitted olives. In a glass bowl combine all the ingredients and stir well to mix. Marinate the olive mixture, at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for up to 1 day, before serving. (To store for up to 1 week, transfer the olives to a 1-pint glass jar with tight-fitting lid and keep chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

*If olives are canned or from a jar, rinse and drain well first