Tapenade

Time: 15 minutes

My wonderful friend, Maura, made homemade tapenade and brought it for us to eat while on vacation last summer! It was so delicious, that I asked for the recipe and have made it several times now. It is easy to make, very healthy and delicious! While I have not been to Greece, we did have tapenade while traveling in Southern France. A few friends who have had this tapenade at our place, did say it tasted like the tapenade they had while traveling in Greece – so, I am taking that as a thumbs up for this recipe! It also keeps well in the fridge for a few weeks. I like it as an appetizer, with baguettes or crackers, but honestly, it is great as a healthy topping on eggs – poached, omelette, over easy….

Music Selection: Zorba the Greek Dance by the Greek Orchestra

Ingredients

1 cup kalamata olives

1 – 2 anchovy fillets (or a ¼ tsp anchovy paste)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbsp capers, rinsed

2 Tbsp olive oil

Zest from ½ lemon

2 – 3 fresh sprigs of thyme

1 – 2 fresh basil leaves

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Salt/pepper

Directions

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor.

Pulse until the mixture becomes a coarse paste.

Transfer to bowl and serve with crackers, baguettes with cheese, or as a side to accompany eggs or pasta!