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Fig and Olive Tapenade

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Fig and Olive Tapenade

Photo 1 of 2
by James Ransom

Fig and Olive Tapenade

Photo 2 of 2
by Kayb

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Dip
  • A&M's Testing Notes: This is our new throw-together-10-minutes-before-the-guests-show-up appetizer. The figs and olives strike a lovely balance of savory and sweet, with the balsamic vinegar adding twang and the...

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  • Chef

    Kayb's Notes: I love figs. I love olives. I always have a good supply of both of the above on hand. I wanted a spread to go with crostini for an impromptu gathering one evening, and I went searching to...

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Serves 8 as a party snack

  1. Mince figs and olives finely (or, if prefer a finer texture, pulse a few times in the food processor).

    Ask the hotline about this step!
  2. Add rosemary, balsamic vinegar and olive oil and mix (or process). You may need to add a little more olive oil to get to the texture/consistency you want.

    Ask the hotline about this step!
  3. Serve as a dip or spread with crostini and crackers. I like to serve it alongside goat cheese.

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Reply

I have to admit that I was a little hesitant to make this. It didn't seem like the flavors were going to meld. I tasted it right after I made it and still wasn't sure. I put it in the refrigerator for about a half an hour. Put goat's cheese on a cracker and a spoon of this on top. Very delicious. Intriguing flavor. And, best of all, the ingredients are all available either in the refrigerator or pantry. That is wonderful. Had to buy the rosemary. Cannot grow a rosemary plant, have a green thumb with every other plant. Enough about me. Try this, you'll really like it.

Pamelalee Reply

I served this on Thanksgiving with crackers, stilton, and pears. My family loved it! I used calimyrna figs since I noticed the figs in your photo were light brown. Have you ever made this with missions figs? Thanks!

Kay_at_lake Reply

I usually use Mission figs, as that's the most common kind you find dried around here. Most any kind would work, I think. Glad you enjoyed!

Reply

Made this for a pot-luck last weekend, and it was quite a hit! I love the mix of bold flavors, both sweet and savory. We did not serve it with goat cheese, as suggested, but definitely want to try it that way. I think that would add another layer of wonderful flavor.

Img_7818 Reply

Made this tonight for visiting family and loved the combination of flavors. It's simple to make but tastes just as good (or better) than appetizers you'd spend forever making. I'll definitely be making it again this holiday season. Thanks for a great recipe!

Junepr05 Reply

I think I'll make this Sunday for a starter! It won't overpower the lamb that follows. :)

Congrats on the win!

Junepr05 Reply

I love the idea of figs with olives! Yum. But you know, it's not really "Tapenade" if there are no capers. "Tapena" is the Provencal word for capers, and that's where the name for this spread came from.

Profile Reply

This is great! I'm making this for sure!

Dsc_0122 Reply

Fabulous sounding.. Gotta try it out. Congratulations on the well deserved wildcard win Kayb!

Barcelona Reply

This looks awesome! There's a restaurant in NYC called Fig & Olive - they should serve this :) Can't wait to try it.

Reply

I haven't even made this yet but I can tell by just reading the directions - it's my new favorite appetizer. :)

Kay_at_lake Reply

Thanks, friends! It's been one of my go-to favorites for a long time....last made it for a christening party for my grandchild, and wound up writing down the recipe on cocktail napkins for everyone.

Oldies_joemare_bd Reply

This sounds delicious Kayb, congratulations on the wildcard. Perfect starter for a holiday party!

Dsc_0382 Reply

Congrats, Kayb, this sounds delicious and so easy! Perfect for this holiday season.

Img_1958 Reply

Congratulations! I love all the flavors here. This is my kind of party starter and I can't wait to try this.

Img_7818 Reply

Congrats! I'm always on the lookout for last-minute appetizers (especially around the holidays) and this one looks fabulous!

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

I love everything about this--especially how you threw it together. Congratulations on the wildcard!

Cheese_for_twitter0001 Reply

Oh my, what a great combo! I'm wondering if your green olives are going to offer that same zing that capers do??

Halloween Reply

Sounds great! Love sweet and salty together like this. :)

Me Reply

I love how you imaginatively melded this ingredients into an amazingly tasty tapenade, spread, dip, schmear ... whatever you want to call it, I call it great!

Junepr05 Reply

This sounds amazingly good, but to really be a Tapenade, it should have Capers in it. "Tapena" is the Provencal word for Capers, and that's where the name originated.

Kay_at_lake Reply

Thanks for that info! I had no idea. I had always heard tapenade associated with olives, so that's why I tacked it on to this recipe. Henceforth, it'll be fig and olive spread, or dip! (Or I'll put capers in it!)

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