Tapenade
A classic Provençal spread made from finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies, and garlic. Perfect as an appetizer served with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g Black olives(pitted, preferably Kalamata or Niçoise for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp Capers(drained)
- 6 Anchovy fillets(packed in oil, drained)
- 2 cloves Garlic(peeled)
- 80 ml Extra virgin olive oil(plus more for drizzling if needed)
- 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice(freshly squeezed)
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the pitted black olives, drained capers, drained anchovy fillets, and peeled garlic cloves. Ensure the olives are roughly chopped before adding if they are whole.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor about 10-15 times until coarsely chopped. The texture should be rustic and slightly chunky, not a smooth paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Continue processing until the mixture is well combined and has a paste-like consistency, but still retains some texture.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Add the fresh lemon juice and pulse a few more times to incorporate. Taste the tapenade and adjust seasoning if necessary. You might want to add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, but avoid adding salt as the capers and anchovies are already salty.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Transfer the tapenade to a serving bowl. For best flavor, let it rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. Serve with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or an assortment of fresh crudités like bell peppers, cucumber, and carrots.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a coarser texture, pulse the ingredients in stages and avoid over-processing.
- ✓Using high-quality olives, capers, and anchovies will significantly enhance the flavor of your tapenade.
- ✓Tapenade can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation.
- ✓Adjust the amount of lemon juice and anchovies to your personal preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Green olive tapenade: Substitute green olives for black olives.
- Tapenade with sun-dried tomatoes: Add a tablespoon or two of chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained) along with the olives.
- Spicy tapenade: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.