Fig + Olive Tapenade (it’s amazing)

anyone who knows me knows that I love to entertain.

If we’re friends, you’re invited to my house. Sometimes my get togethers are planned and other times they are completely impromptu. Either way, a quick appetizer is always a necessity.

simple is king.

Here’s the thing that sets this appetizer apart: in addition to all those briney black olives that are the mainstay of tapenades, this recipe calls for the surprise appearance of dried figs and rosemary. That combination is just too much for me to resist.

sweet + tangy  + salty

And, of course, this being a tapenade, there’s virtually no work involved in preparing it, unless you count measuring out a quantity of olives, fresh rosemary and figs as work. All that’s required is placing the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor along with some olive oil + balsamic vinegar, pressing the pulse button, and the “heavy lifting” is complete.

season with salt and pepper to taste, and you’re good to go!

Make this Mediterranean-style munchy at your next get together– your friends can wolf it down without compromising their wheat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free diets. You can serve it with sliced veggies, crunchy rice crackers, apples, walnuts and of course a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Note: This is addictive & I will totally forgive you if you skip hosting a party and just make a giant bowl of it for yourself.

FIG + OLIVE TAPENADE RECIPE

recipe discovered over at www.food52.com
4 ounces dried figs
1/2 cup Kalamata olives
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Mince figs and olives finely by pulsing a few times in the food processor. Add rosemary, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil and process. You may need to add a little more olive oil to get to the texture and consistency you want. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Quick tip: look for dried figs without added sulfites – a preservative added to most dried fruits to maintain vibrant colors. Many people have adverse reactions to artificially added sulfites, so natural options are becoming more widely available.

Let me know what you think of this appetizer! I would love to hear from you!