Nothing is better than Tapenade to with your stiff drink to give you the perfect holiday feeling. Tapenade is a Mediterranean dip that is often consumed with drinks. This dark and sophisticated dip has the just right combination of the saltiest ingredients that can be paired excellently with a gin and tonic, or rosé.
Tapenade is prepared using small black olives as the dominant ingredient. Other elements that are traditionally used are capers, anchovies, herbs, and garlic. There are several variations of this Mediterranean dish that encompasses pairing with dried tomatoes and basil, and usage of green olives. To make perfect Tapenade at home to enjoy alongside your evening drink, here is the recipe using all the traditional elements and will take only a couple of minutes to prepare.
Health Benefits
- Tapenade entails 159 calories and 0.9 grams of carbohydrates.
- Tapenade is essentially an olive dish so it is healthy for heat and plays a significant role in suppressing the cholesterol level.
- It comprises of anti-cancer compounds and also reduces inflammation in the body.
- Olives are painkillers for your body. They function as ibuprofen against diseases such as arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Tapenade is enriched with iron. So if you are low on hemoglobin or have a weak immune system, Tapenade can serve in fulfilling the iron requirement in your body.
Ingredients
grams of whole black olives: 200
tablespoons of capers (if packed in salt, then rinse them well): 3
anchovies chopped roughly (if packed in salt, then rinse them well): 2
large clove of garlic (roughly crushed): 1
teaspoon of thyme (fresh and chopped): 2
lemon (juice only): 1/2
tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil: 5
How To Make Tapenade
- Start with removing the stones from the olives using a sharp knife.
- Combine capers, anchovies, garlic and thyme in a food processor or blender.
- Blend the mixture to a rough puree.
- Add lemon juice, followed by olive oil while the mixture is still blending.
- Add pepper and more lemon juice to adjust taste as per desire.
Using Pestle and Mortar
You can also use pestle and mortar in making the Tapenade through following these steps:
- Combine garlic, anchovies, capers, and thyme, and place the mixture in the pestle and mortar.
- Pound gently until a smooth mixture is achieved.
- Add olives at this stage so that they remain slightly chunkier than the rest.
- Add oil and lemon juice gradually while pounding continuously.
- Add pepper and more lemon juice to adjust taste as per desire.
Trivia
- Tapenade is the symbolic dish of the Provence region in southern France.
- The origin of Tapenade is reported to be as old as the first century.
- This olive-based dish is considered a snack in the French cuisine.
- Tapenades can be used as a spread to be enjoyed with bread, crackers and even meat and vegetables.