There’s something about anything salty and savory that will always get my attention. Olives, capers, anchovies, in any recipe will certainly make me sit up and take notice. One thing that will give your creativity a boost is having a delicious and versatile olive tapenade on hand. During the holidays I try to incorporate it in appetizers, pasta and entrees in general. It keeps well in the refrigerator for a couple weeks, and if your making a larger batch, freezes well for several months.
Consider the following suggestions for using tapenade:
Serve it on top of hummus for a savory boost
Serve broiled fish with a dollop of tapenade on top
Use tapenade to stuff portabella or cremini mushrooms
Make a cold pasta with veggies and use the tapenade as the dressing with lemon juice
Top burgers with roasted red pepper, cheese and tapenade
Toss with steamed baby potatoes
Use on pizza to replace tomato sauce
Make a sandwich on focaccia with salami, ham, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini, mozzarella and tapenade
Make a wrap of hummus, red onion, roasted red pepper, arugula and tapenade
Make a pasta with tapenade, cherry tomatoes and toasted breadcrumbs (recipe to follow)
The possibilities for its use is only limited by your imagination! Although you can purchase store bought tapenade, it’s so easy why not make it yourself for a lot less! This blog will focus on whipping up this flavorful Mediterranean olive spread and a easy, crowd pleasing pasta when you’re busy.
OLIVE TAPENADE (MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE SPREAD)
INGREDIENTS:
6 ounces brine-cured olives, pitted and drained (Manzanillo and or kalamata work well)
6 ounces California black olives, pitted and drained
1 teaspoon anchovy paste or 2 anchovy filets
1/4 cup capers, drained
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley
3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Couple grinds fresh black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place drained and pitted olives in the bowl of a food processor. Add anchovy, capers, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper. Pulse several times until coarsely chopped.
Scrape side with spatula and add olive oil. Pulse several times until a chunky paste forms, scraping sides as needed. Serve at room temperature.
TAPENADE PASTA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND TOASTED BREADCRUMBS
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces bucatini pasta
1/2 cup toasted fresh breadcrumbs
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup olive tapenade
3/4 cup pecorino cheese, grated
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the water generously with salt and then add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions.. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
While you pasta is cooking heat a few drizzles of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in the fresh breadcrumbs and toast them until golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Add the drained pasta back into the pot and add the tapenade, and 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Toss well to combine, adding additional pasta water if needed. Add 1/2 the cheese, the cherry tomatoes and parsley. Season with black pepper.
Pile the pasta onto plates or shallow bowls. Top with cheese, parsley and breadcrumbs. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
“First we eat, then we do everything else.”
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