Imagine a culinary journey where every bite transports you to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean, with a vibrant, zesty olive tapenade that turns an ordinary fish dinner into a gourmet experience. This incredibly simple yet sophisticated recipe is about to become your secret weapon in the kitchen, promising bold flavors, restaurant-quality presentation, and a taste that will make your taste buds dance with delight!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients: 1 cup of mixed olives (pitted), 2 tablespoons of capers, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Rinse the mixed olives under cold water to remove any excess brine or salt. Drain them well and set aside.
- Peel the garlic cloves and chop them coarsely to help them blend more easily.
- In a food processor, combine the rinsed olives, capers, and chopped garlic. Pulse the mixture until it reaches a coarse consistency. Be careful not to over-process; you want to maintain some texture.
- While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to help emulsify the tapenade. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Once the olive mixture is well combined, add the lemon juice. Pulse again until everything is incorporated. Taste the tapenade and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more lemon juice or olive oil to achieve your desired flavor.
- Transfer the olive tapenade to a serving bowl. You can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- To serve, pair the tapenade with grilled fish, spreading it on top or serving it on the side as a flavorful condiment. Enjoy your Mediterranean-inspired dish!
Tips
- Choose high-quality, mixed olives for the most complex flavor profile. A combination of Kalamata, green, and black olives works wonderfully.
- Don't over-process the tapenade - you want a rustic, textured consistency that adds character to your dish.
- Use fresh garlic for the most intense flavor, and if possible, fresh lemon juice instead of bottled.
- Let the tapenade sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- This versatile condiment isn't just for fish - try it on grilled chicken, as a spread on crusty bread, or mixed into pasta.
- Store any leftover tapenade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 103kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
