Figtapenade Recipes

OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the green and black olives, anchovy if using, oregano, garlic and lemon juice and pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until everything is a coarse paste. Drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until combined.
• Serve with crackers or toast.

TAPENADE

Steps:

• Combine garlic, olives, anchovies, capers, thyme, rosemary and lemon juice in an electric blender. Slowly drip the olive oil into the blender while you are blending the ingredients together. Blend until a paste is formed.

TAPENADE

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the olives in cool water. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the mixture becomes a coarse paste, approximately 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

FIG AND WALNUT TAPENADE WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine chopped figs and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates and figs are soft, about 7 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme. Season tapenade to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Arrange overlapping cheese rounds in circle in center of medium platter. Stir chopped walnuts into tapenade; spoon into center of cheese circle. Garnish with walnut halves and thyme sprigs, if desired. Serve with breads and/or crackers.

FIG TAPENADE

Steps:

• Note: I have prepared this appetizer several times using small pieces of brie or crumbled Gorgonzola to replace the goat cheese. Sweet and tangy flavours blend well.
• Combine figs and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often until liquid is absorbed, place fig mixture into a small bowl.
• Stir in olives, vinegar, oil, thyme and pepper, set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Top each toasted muffin half with cheese and 1 tablespoon of fig tapenade.
• Place muffin halves on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese melts.
• Cut each baked muffin in half or quarters for bite-sized pieces.
• If you use baguette slices, arrange on a baking sheet, broil until lightly toasted on one side only; then spread untoasted side with tapenade and top with cheese.
• Garnish with thyme sprigs. Serve and enjoy!
• On the day of the party, assemble the "mini pizzas" up to an hour in advance, cover and leave at room temperature until ready to bake.

FIG AND OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Combine figs and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, and liquid has reduced. Remove from heat, and stir in the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, and cayenne. Add olives and garlic, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
• Unwrap cream cheese block, and place on a serving platter. Spoon tapenade over cheese, and sprinkle with walnuts. Serve with slices of French bread or crackers.

FIG-OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, simmer the figs in the water with the lid askew for 10 to 20 minutes, until very tender. Drain.
• 2. If using a mortar and pestle, mash the olives with the garlic, capers, anchovies, mustard, and rosemary. (Sometimes I chop the olives first, which means less pounding later.) Pound in the figs. Once they are broken up, stir in the lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• 3. If using a food processor, pulse the olives, figs, garlic, capers, anchovies, mustard, rosemary, and lemon juice to create a thick paste. Pulse in the olive oil until you've achieved a chunky-smooth paste. Don't overdo it; good tapenade should be slightly rough. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary.

OLIVE, FIG, AND HONEY TAPENADE

Steps:

• Pulse all ingredients in a mini food processor until they form a rough paste (do not overprocess, as the paste should retain some texture). Let stand 1 hour before serving.