Middle Eastern Marinated Olives - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1 lb pitted small to medium green olives or 1 lb oil-cured black olive (such as Nicoise, about 3 cups)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves

Preparation

Rinse the olives, then soak in cold water for at least 4 hours, drain.
Combine the olives with the remaining ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 day and up to 1 week.
Serve at room temperature.
Variation; Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.