With pantry items and a couple of fresh touches, you can have a lovely appetizer in minutes!
I love an appetizer you know you can throw together at the last minute, and even better if you can make it a day ahead of time. I can’t remember a party where I didn’t have a bowl of tapenade waiting for guests, usually served with crusty grilled bread.
A twist we all loved!
A couple of Thanksgivings ago, our daughter hosted the holiday and her version was to use equal parts artichoke hearts and olives to lighten it up a bit. We’ve always used the classic olives and anchovies with capers and a few herbs. The addition of the artichokes was great. Everyone loved it! So our old standby has changed to include the artichokes, and everyone is happy.
This is still a forgiving dish. If you only have one type of olive, use just one. If you don’t like capers, omit them. The anchovies are expendable if you have a vegetarian in your midst, but otherwise I recommend using them. You can add favored herbs or oils if you like, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, pine nuts, or even figs!
Make it your way!
If you cannot find the marinated artichoke hearts, use canned and add more olive oil and some herbs of choice: thyme, rosemary, chervil, etc.
This appetizer is quite salty and so full of flavor, a little always goes a long ways! You can use it as a dip, or let it spread its wings and become a topping for proteins, pasta, vegetables, or breads.
Amie’s Olive and Artichoke Tapenade
- 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
- 6 ounces kalamata olives
- 4 ounces green olives with pimentos
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp. capers, plus some to garnish
- 2 anchovies, optional but recommended
- 2 tbsp. fruity olive oil, or probably more
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. chopped parsley, plus garnish
You can make this very well pureed, or coarse in texture, it’s up to you. You can use a food processor, or a very sharp knife. Food processor is much easier.
Place everything in the food processor and pulse until you have your desired consistency. Place in your serving dish, sprinkle on a few more capers and some minced parsley, and drizzle with a bit more olive oil.
Serve with slices of grilled or toasted baguette, crackers, or vegetables.
Tomorrow:
Our family’s absolute favorite appetizer June Cleaver Toasts! You won’t want to miss this one!
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This one looks fabulous. I like how free wheeling it is. Can’t wait to see what June Cleaver cooked up..
Stay tuned Bernadette. If you try June Cleaver Toasts you will have them on your menu always!! Promise!
Such a great tasty combination of Mediterranean ingredients. No wonder it’s a family favorite.
On my list to make very soon! 🙂
I’m going to serve this at my Book Club Meeting next week!
Yum! Thank you always for sharing delicious and fabulous recipes!
Happy New Year!
You will love it! Ah, but you might also love the June Cleaver toasts I’m posting tomorrow as well…
Me too! I can’t wait!
For June Cleaver’s toasts! Can’t wait!
Happy holidays, Dorothy! I hope you all had a nice celebration. Sorry, i am always late, as i am so in love with my pillows. Lol That definitely looks great. But in my pantry actually only carrots. 😉 Lets me do shopping for more. Now i know what i need. 🙂 Best wishes, Michael
Well, in my book MIchael, carrots are always a good start. But olives and artichokes are right up there too!
Get more rest. Then cook. Eat. Enjoy!
Looks quite tasty! Would by chance the June Cleaver Toasts go with the tapenade?Anxiously waiting to find out!
Ah! They will be on the same table, but best eaten separately. Stay tuned!
Beautiful Mediterranean flavours I can understand why its such a hit with everyone …Merry Christmas!
That looks sooo healthy
And sooo delicious!
I’m all for easy appetizers so the hostess can enjoy the party! I can’t wait to see June Cleaver’s toasts!
Jenna
Ah! You will like the June Cleavers even more!
YUM!
Lots of yum to go around!
Always a good thing. 🙂
I think you’ll like today’s party food too!
SWEET!
Yum! I’m a big fan of olives and artichokes! I’ve made Olive Tapenade, so I’ll need to try this with the artichokes—it sounds wonderful! 🙂
It’s so good Nancy, and not quite as salty as the original, which is good for folks watching their sodium intake. Mostly, we make it because it tastes delicious!
Absolutely delicious! I love easy appetizers 😋
So simple, and just a little different!
Love the idea of adding artichokes!
Thanks! It really adds a nice dimension.
Artichokes are so good. I love all the flavor in this recipe.
They go so well with the olives! It’s now our new standard tapenade!