Tapenade (Caper & Olive Spread)
Quantity: 350 gr (1 - 1 1/2 cups) of Tapenade
Preparation time: 20min.
Tapenade was probably already used in Roman times. It can be made from black or green olives and garlic can be substituted by other ingredients. Here is the recipe for the traditional black Tapenade, the most common one used in the Provence. By the way "Tapena" is the Provençal word for capers (in French they are called capres).
Use it as a spread for hors d'oeuvres or to season meats and fish. Tapenade can be kept in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
Ingredients:
- 250 gr (1 cup) black olives cured in oil and pitted (do not use olives cured in brine)
- 100 gr (about 1/2 cup) capers, rinsed and well drained
- 4 salted anchovies fillets, rinsed and dried
- 1 pinch of Provençal mixed dried herbs
- 1 pinch of coarse sea salt or kosher salt
- black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 5 - 6 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Preparation:
Combine the olives, capers and anchovies in a food processor and purée them. Add the herbs, the garlic and a generous grind of pepper. Before you add some salt (or not), a word of caution: the black olives, capers and anchovies contain a lot of salt. So before adding extra salt, taste the Tapenade and judge for yourself. You might not even need it. With the motor running add olive oil little by little until the Tapenade has the consistency of a smooth paste.