Homemade Green Olive Tapenade with Preserved Lemon & Crunchy Almonds: Your Essential Mediterranean Condiment
This exceptional green olive tapenade masterfully blends the briny richness of olives with the deep umami notes of anchovies, the bright, aromatic zest of preserved lemons, and the delightful crunch of roasted almonds. The result is an incredibly versatile and addictive spread that will elevate any meal or gathering with its vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
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Effortless Entertaining: The Secret to Welcoming Guests Anytime
One of the true joys of life is sharing good food and lively conversation with loved ones. And one of the keys to effortless hosting—allowing you to welcome last-minute guests with grace and ease—is a well-stocked pantry and fridge. Imagine a spontaneous gathering of friends; instead of panic, you feel a quiet confidence, knowing you have delicious provisions at your fingertips. As the cooler months approach, especially around late November and the bustling holiday season, I make it a point to keep a variety of favorite snacks readily available. This includes gourmet terrines, rich pâtés, a selection of artisanal crackers, high-quality olives, creamy homemade hummus, tangy marinated feta, and crunchy spicy-sweet cocktail nuts. A chilled bottle of crisp white or sparkling wine in the fridge completes the picture, ensuring you’re always ready for those wonderful, impromptu gatherings – which, in my opinion, are truly the best kind.
Among my essential homemade condiments, a delicious tapenade always holds a prime spot at the back of the fridge. This chunky, olive-based spread is a culinary lifesaver due to its incredible versatility. Tapenade can be crafted from virtually any olive variety and infused with an endless array of flavorings, making it a truly adaptable ingredient for various occasions. It’s perfect for serving at happy hour, accompanied by fresh crudités, crispy crackers, warm pita chips, or slices of fresh or toasted baguette. Beyond appetizers, it can effortlessly enhance a quick meal, acting as a flavorful topping for grilled or braised meats, delicate fish, or succulent seafood. You can even swirl it into pasta dishes or mix it through creamy risotto for an instant flavor boost. The best part? When properly refrigerated in an airtight jar, tapenade boasts an impressive shelf life (refer to the comprehensive storage tips in the recipe below). And making it couldn’t be simpler: just blend all the ingredients, and a world of vibrant, savory flavor awaits.
Introducing a New Favorite: Green Olive, Preserved Lemon, and Almond Tapenade
While my cookbook, French Appetizers, features three of my most cherished tapenade varieties, this particular green olive variation has recently soared to the very top of my personal list. This recipe takes the classic Mediterranean spread to an exciting new level, blending vibrant, firm green olives with savory, umami-packed anchovies and the distinct, aromatic tang of preserved lemons. The combination creates an unbelievably addictive flavor profile that dances on the palate, offering layers of salt, acidity, and depth. To add another essential dimension, whole roasted almonds are incorporated, providing a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the spread’s otherwise smooth, rich texture. I intentionally keep this green olive tapenade chunkier than traditional versions, ensuring that you experience its fantastic texture and distinct ingredient notes with every single bite. It’s a truly gourmet experience that’s deceptively easy to prepare at home.
The Flavor Symphony: Why These Ingredients Work So Well
The Star of the Show: Green Olives
For this tapenade, the choice of green olives is paramount. Unlike their darker counterparts, green olives tend to be brighter, fruitier, and often possess a firmer texture. Varieties like the buttery, mild Castelvetrano or the large, crisp Cerignola olives are perfect for this recipe. They provide a beautiful, vibrant color and a less overwhelming briny taste compared to black olives, allowing the other robust flavors to truly shine. Ensuring they are pitted and well-drained is crucial for the best texture and to avoid excess moisture in your spread. Their inherent crispness contributes wonderfully to the desired chunky consistency, adding a fresh bite that elevates the tapenade beyond a simple paste.
Umami Boost: The Magic of Anchovies
Many people shy away from anchovies, fearing an overly “fishy” taste. However, in this green olive tapenade, a single oil-packed anchovy fillet works wonders to enhance the overall flavor profile without dominating it. Anchovies are a powerhouse of umami, the savory fifth taste. When blended into the tapenade, they essentially dissolve, imparting a deep, complex savoriness that brings out the best in the olives and lemons. They add a depth and richness that is simply irreplaceable, transforming the spread from good to absolutely extraordinary. Don’t skip them – they are the subtle, secret ingredient that elevates this tapenade to a gourmet, unforgettable status. Their savory notes round out the acidity and salt, creating a perfectly balanced condiment.
Aromatic Zest: Preserved Lemons
Preserved lemons are a jewel of Mediterranean and North African cuisine, offering a unique flavor that fresh lemon zest or juice simply cannot replicate. The intricate curing process mellows their intense acidity while simultaneously intensifying their vibrant citrusy aroma and adding a subtle, salty complexity that is incredibly profound. For this green olive tapenade, chopped preserved lemon rind infuses the spread with a tangy, deeply aromatic quality that is both refreshing and complex. If preserved lemons aren’t readily available, finely grated zest from one fresh lemon can be a reasonable substitute, but the distinct, mellowed flavor of preserved lemon truly makes a significant difference, adding an exotic, sophisticated touch that is unforgettable and truly elevates the tapenade’s bright notes.
Textural Delight: Roasted Almonds
The addition of whole roasted unsalted almonds to this tapenade recipe is not just for flavor, but for a crucial textural contrast that makes each bite more dynamic. While tapenade is typically enjoyed as a smooth or slightly chunky spread, the roasted almonds provide a satisfying, substantial crunch that makes the experience more interesting and enjoyable. Roasting the almonds beforehand is an essential step, as this process deepens their nutty flavor, giving them a delightful, slightly smoky nuance that complements the other ingredients beautifully and adds a warm, earthy undertone. Make sure to use unsalted almonds to maintain precise control over the overall saltiness of your tapenade, especially given the briny nature of the olives and preserved lemons. This thoughtful inclusion of almonds truly sets this green olive tapenade apart.
Beyond the Appetizer Platter: Maximizing Your Green Olive Tapenade
While this homemade green olive tapenade is an absolute showstopper on any appetizer platter, its versatility extends far beyond simple dipping. Don’t limit its potential; let this vibrant, savory condiment inspire your culinary creations throughout the week. For a quick and elegant lunch, spread a generous layer on crusty bread or toasted ciabatta, perhaps topped with a slice of fresh tomato, a crumbling of feta cheese, or some thinly sliced avocado. It makes a fantastic, flavorful base for bruschetta or crostini, which can be further adorned with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Consider folding a spoonful into scrambled eggs or an omelet for a gourmet breakfast twist, or use it to fill a savory crêpe. Dollop it over freshly grilled fish, pan-seared scallops, roasted chicken, or succulent lamb chops to infuse your main course with an immediate burst of Mediterranean flair. It’s also superb tossed with warm, roasted new potatoes, steamed green beans, or mixed into a hearty grain salad for a flavorful side dish. For pasta lovers, mixing a spoonful or two into your favorite hot pasta with a little extra olive oil and some pasta water creates an instant, sophisticated sauce. Alternatively, stir it into creamy polenta, a vegetable soup, or even use it as a flavorful spread for sandwiches and wraps. The possibilities are truly endless, making this green olive tapenade a staple you’ll reach for again and again to add depth and excitement to countless dishes.
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Pin Recipe
Lemony Green Olive Tapenade
10 minutes
10 minutes
Marie Asselin, FoodNouveau.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup 250 ml firmly packed pitted green olives (such as Castelvetrano or Cerignola), drained
- 1/2 cup 125 ml roasted whole unsalted almonds (about 2 1/2 oz/70 g—see note)
- 2 tbsp 30 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp 15 ml chopped preserved lemon rind (you can substitute the finely grated zest from 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp 15 ml minced Italian parsley leaves
- 1 oil-packed anchovy fillet
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely and evenly chopped, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. The tapenade will be quite thick and chunky. If you like a smoother texture, keep processing and add up to 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil until you reach the desired consistency.
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STORAGE: This tapenade is best made at least 1 day ahead as resting allows flavors to fully develop. Store the tapenade in an airtight container in the refrigerator until needed. If storing the tapenade for more than 1 week, smooth out the top and pour a thin layer of olive oil over the tapenade to cover it completely. Repeat the smoothing and olive oil covering process every time you use some of the tapenade. This will prevent any contact with air and allow you to store the tapenade for weeks. You can also freeze the tapenade for up to 1 month. (No need to cover with olive oil if freezing.) Thaw frozen tapenade overnight in the fridge.
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SERVING: Serve this green olive tapenade with crudités, crackers, pita chips, or fresh or toasted baguette slices, or use it to enhance a quick meal, such as grilled or braised meats, fish, and seafood. You can also use it to dress up pasta or swirl into risotto.
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NOTE: It’s essential to use roasted almonds in this recipe as the roasted nuts impart a lovely, slightly smoky flavor to the tapenade. To roast raw almonds, spread over a baking sheet and place in a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for 10 minutes, shaking the sheet halfway through. Let cool completely, then use as indicated, or store in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.
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MAKE IT VEGAN: Omit the anchovy.
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Long-Term Storage and Enjoyment
One of the many benefits of this homemade green olive tapenade is its excellent keeping quality, making it an ideal make-ahead component for your culinary arsenal. For optimal flavor development, it’s highly recommended to prepare the tapenade at least a day in advance; this resting period allows all the distinct ingredients—the briny olives, umami anchovies, aromatic preserved lemon, and nutty almonds—to meld together into a harmonious symphony of tastes. Once made, transfer the tapenade to an airtight container and store it securely in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for several weeks, provided you follow a simple trick to prevent oxidation and maintain its vibrant freshness. Each time you use a portion of the tapenade, gently smooth out the top surface with the back of a spoon and then pour a thin, protective layer of extra-virgin olive oil over it, ensuring the tapenade is completely covered. This creates an effective barrier, preventing air from coming into contact with the spread and thus significantly extending its shelf life while preserving its flavor and color. If you wish to store it for even longer durations, tapenade freezes exceptionally well for up to a month. When freezing, there’s no need to add the layer of olive oil. Simply transfer the tapenade to a freezer-safe container, seal it tightly, and place it in the freezer. Thaw the frozen tapenade overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and it will be as delicious as if it were freshly made. This foresight in preparation guarantees that you always have a gourmet spread ready to elevate any meal or impress unexpected guests with minimal effort.
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