Olives are sort of like the tasty yet replaceable jump-offs in the food world; you want, but certainly don't need them. Once you have a bite of one of these olive-based dishes, we're sure you'll change your tune.

Tomato and Olive-Stuffed Portobello Caps, delish.com. These little hors d'oeuvres are generally served as appetizers, but enough of them (coupled with salad) can certainly make a meal.

They're extra cheesy (mozzarella, mmm) and grilled for a smoky flavor.

Olive Tapenade with Olive Oil Crostinis, Food Network. A very traditional way to showcase the olive's deliciously sour flavor, atapenade is a type of dip that generally served over baked bread. This homemade version sounds like it's packed with flavor (12 whole ounces of olives!) after layered flavor.

Linguine with Green Olive Sauce, Real Simple. Who doesn't love the skinny, soft pasta that is linguine? This recipe marries two traditional Italian flavors (pasta and olives) in a very simple, 20 minute recipe.

-- Whitney Teal

Photos courtesy delish.com, the Food Network and Real Simple