If you like olives then you’ll probably LOVE this olive spread.
It’s the perfect salty, umami-loaded olive spread to eat while you prepare dinner or are getting ready to go out.
Olive tapenade is quick to prepare, super simple and a recipe every olive-lover must have in their recipe box.
Here’s a no-fail recipe for an olive spread that’s quick and perfect for apéro.
Use this Olive Tapenade for Apéro
If you hang around French people long enough you’re going to hear the word apéro.
We hear this word whenever we visit our Belgian friends from the French side. It’s just a fancy word for snacks before the meal but the idea of it is great. Everyone meets (usually at someone’s home) for chips or little snacks with bread and a nice drink.
It’s a perfect way to sneak in some snacks and a quick drink before the meal starts or while you’re cooking dinner.
Tips for the Best Olive Tapenade
- Always buy olives with the pit still inside because the flavour is much better than pitted olives.
- Buy the nicest olives and olive oil you can find.
- Mix in some anchovies for a little more umami.
Try Adding These Ingredients to Level Up Your Olive Spread
- Sundried tomatoes.
- Anchovies & Capers.
- Smoked paprika.
- Fennel seed.
- Fresh oregano.
More Apero Recipes
Here are a few more recipes that would be great appetizers for apero:
- These Warm, Buttery Toasted Pecans with Chili + Cinnamon
- These EPIC Dutch Deep-Fried Beef Balls (Bitterballen)
- These Snappy and Salty Fermented Carrots
- These Truffled Deviled Eggs
- These Addictively Good Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in Chicken Fat (Pepitas)
The Easiest Kalamata Olive Tapenade (Olive Spread)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 g kalamata olives 1½ cups
- ½ bunch flat-leaf parsley
- ½ piece shallot peeled
- 60 g olive oil ¼ cup
- ½ piece clove of garlic peeled
- ¼ tsp chili
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 squeeze of lemon juice + zest
Instructions
- De-seed the olives by pushing them against the cutting board with something heavy like a pan.
- Slice the shallot into a small dice. Zest the garlic and lemon into a bowl. Pick the parsley leaves from the stems.
- Add all the ingredients together and pulse but don't over-purée.
- Check the seasoning if it needs more lemon or salt to your preference.
- Serve with a crusty baguette and a good glass of wine.
Nutrition
Looking for some wine pairing inspiration? My friend David at Cooking Chat provides help to find the perfect match of wine for food. You can check out his work here.
