green olive tapenade

I’d like you all to know that I started a book club and that I’m really, really excited about it. Nerd-haters and book-haters you might want to look elsewhere today, because Eating for England is geeking out.

I’ve wanted to be part of a book club for so long. I think they are the coolest thing ever and by no means do I feel like an old lady for being into it. An organized reason to talk about books post-university? It’s like your coolest lit class with wine and zingy little snacks. What’s not to love?

Talking of zingy snacks. We decided that our book club was not going to become a full-on dinner commitment for whoever was hosting. Snacks, finger food, whatever you want to call it – this is our limit. This tapenade is one of the few things I made from scratch and it was worth it. The other was a gorgeous and quickly-devoured salad that I’ll share next time.

Green Olive Tapenade
adapted from Epicurious

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups pitted green Spanish olives, rinsed, drained well
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil (preferably extra-virgin for the biggest flavour pow)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Combine olives, capers and garlic in a food processor and chop finely. With motor running, gradually add lemon juice and oil and process until blended.
Transfer tapenade to bowl. Stir in cilantro. Season to taste with pepper.
Can be made 1 day ahead. Be sure to cover and refrigerate it. Serve with crackers and toasted baguette slices.

Note: Tapenade (like hummus) is one of those taste as you go things in my opinion. By all means follow the recipe but if it’s not smooth/lemony/olive-y/caper-y enough then just add a smidge more and whizz it all up again.

Pin It

Category: recipe | Tags: appetizer, vegetarian 10 comments »

10 Responses to “green olive tapenade”

maggy@threemanycooks
May 4th, 2011 at 8:53 am
This tapenade looks amazing. I had some the other day at a restaurant and was thinking I should make it. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Reply]
Ffion @ Chocolate and Raspberries
May 4th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
I’ve never had tapenade! I’m intrigued! I really really really want to join a book club! I loved my english lit classes! Unfortunately you are too far away!

[Reply]
Julie
May 4th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
What book is your book club reading??

[Reply]
Angharad Reply:
May 5th, 2011 at 10:57 am
This month we read “The Life and Times of Michael K.” by J.M. Coetzee (who also wrote “Disgrace”). Next month I think we might read “The Help” which seems to be a popular book club choice. Have you read either? Thanks for stopping by Julie!

[Reply]
Julie Reply:
May 5th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
The Help is GREAT!! Just read The Weird Sisters for my book club and enjoyed it too. We recently read One Day for book club too and loved that one.

[Reply]
Angharad Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Oh my gosh, I loved One Day beyond belief! Read that one a couple of months ago and just couldn’t put it down.
Sarah@The Flying ONION
May 5th, 2011 at 7:35 am
I have been wanting to join a book club for AGES. This is just the inspiration I needed. Now I just need to find some other folks who are as interested in joining/starting one as I am. ;)

The tapenade looks wonderful! :D

[Reply]
Angharad Reply:
May 5th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Thanks Sarah! I had wanted to be part of a book club for ages. In the end I just asked two of my friends if they’d like to start one and we each invited a different friend the others didn’t know so that we all have a chance to meet new people and make new friends! We are just starting out but I’m hoping it lasts a long time.

[Reply]
Smiley
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
I made this for work and it was a huge hit! The only downside? Craving a beer (at work) at 9am…. I can’t think of anything that it would go better with!!

Also love the idea of a book club – sounds super fun!! <3

T

[Reply]
Angharad Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 3:05 pm
So glad you liked it! The saltiness is a perfect match for a beer….agreed :)

[Reply]