Make Ahead
Fig and Olive Tapenade
Popular on Food52
54 Reviews
Kandy K.
August 19, 2022
Could this be made with fresh figs?
fuhsi
August 31, 2022
Did anyone answer your question, because I would like to know, too - and would the amount of fresh be equivalent to dry?
Kandy K.
August 31, 2022
fuhsi, no I did not get an answer. Wish they would respond to our questions when asked.
marjorie L.
December 25, 2021
Great flavor. Must use a sweet, expensive balsamic.. My guests loved it.
Lydia W.
November 10, 2018
Great recipe. This is in regular rotation in our house and so easy to make! The goat cheese pairing knocks it out of the park.
Alicia
January 2, 2017
I've had this recipe saved for some time but never made it. Then, my dad served it as an appetizer when a family friend came over for dinner. It was so delicious that my husband and I made it ourselves immediately for a New Year's Eve gathering. Everyone has been skeptical about the olive/fig combo, but they have all been won over by this delicious (and incredibly easy to make) dish! Goat cheese and crostini paired with this for the win!
meeshybells
December 19, 2015
Hi. I added @2 tbsps of pomegranate molasses, 1/4 c fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup walnuts. I'm going to try it with a clove of fresh garlic as well. Great recipe to be creative with. Thanks for posting. This would work just as well with just the green olives.
Ann
July 28, 2015
My "tapenade" had a very strong fig taste. I used Mission figs--all the market had that day--and thought I measured the figs carefully. Anyway, I liked the recipe but was disappointed that I simply could not taste the olives at all. I'd like to make the recipe again, just not sure whether to add fewer figs or more olives!!!!
Kayb
July 29, 2015
Odd. Maybe it was the kind of olives? I'd certainly add more olives -- quantities in this recipe are something of an estimation, anyway!
Kaite
June 9, 2015
I made this yesterday and was quite disappointed as I kept getting a really strong bitter taste towards the end. I suspected it was from the kalamata olives. I let it sit in the fridge for a few hours and the bitterness mellowed out. I can't say I'm in love with this but it is a quick and tasty recipe. Perhaps I'll try it tonight to see how it tastes.
Instead of serving mine with the goat cheese everyone mentions, I bought a young manchego. The young manchego worked really well with the flavors of the tapenade due to its very mellow taste.
Instead of serving mine with the goat cheese everyone mentions, I bought a young manchego. The young manchego worked really well with the flavors of the tapenade due to its very mellow taste.
Kayb
June 10, 2015
H'mm. Curious about the bitter, as well. I've never gotten that; I guess it's conceivable you could get that with olives, but I never have. I often leave it out on the counter for a few hours to mellow and let the flavors blend. And I can see it being excellent with a young manchego; I also love it with any Brie-ish cheese.
Jaxmccaff
January 25, 2015
Love this recipe! So easy and such a big hit. I served it with crackers and goat cheese which really does pair beautifully with the 'tapenade'. This will be my go to appetizer for the winter!
Donna G.
February 17, 2014
I make a very similar recipe, but without the green olives. i include anchovy and caper - it is absolutely fabulous. the key is to play with proportions so that the anchovy and caper do not dominate.
Aly W.
November 26, 2013
I just made this ahead of time and so the flavors can marry. Amazing and tasty!
Nikki P.
March 19, 2013
I have just made this and it is truly delicious but can someone tell me if I can freeze it, or if not, how long will it last in the fridge? Thanks!
Kayb
March 19, 2013
I'm not sure how well it'd freeze, but it lasts a LONG time in the fridge. Longer than I've ever had occasion to keep it, the longest being a couple of weeks before it was gone.
Nikki P.
April 1, 2013
In reply to my own question, I decided to freeze it in small tubs and defrosted overnight for a dinner party on Easter Sunday. It was PERFECT AND TASTED DELICIOUS on tiny crackers with a shaving of goats cheese on top. We served as canapés with a glass of champagne before the main event...it went down very well!!
rachaelmr
December 3, 2012
I was very skeptical: but this was a HIT! at a gathering I recently went to. And I have to say it was all these great reviews that sold me - and I do love it, too. I paired my "appetizer contribution" with my goat cheese dip (which is just that big 365 goat log w/ a sexy olive oil, whipped until it is greenish w/ cracked pepper) - Ooh, La, La!
Kayb
March 19, 2013
Glad you enjoyed! I actually paired it with fromage d'affinois the other night, and it was SO rich and marvelous!
gingerroot
August 31, 2012
Hi Kayb, I've been meaning to tell you that I hosted an afternoon tea a few weeks ago for 60 people and I used this plus cream cheese and Italian parsley as one of the fillings. The sandwiches disappeared! Thanks for a great recipe.
Emilia R.
March 6, 2013
gingerroot, what a wonderful idea!!!! I've been looking for a nice sandwich recipe--for parties--and your idea of this Tapenade + cream cheese + Italian parsley fits the bill!
pierino
March 11, 2012
The missing ingredients are, most importantly capers as well as anchovies. The name itself, tapenade, comes from the provencale word for caper. I'm sorry but I'm a stickler on this stuff. It's not tapenade if it doesn't include olives, capers and anchovy. After that you can mess with it all you like. Or else call it something else.
BocaCindi
December 30, 2011
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
November 27, 2011
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!
Kayb
November 27, 2011
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!
David B.
November 11, 2011
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.
EmilyC
November 4, 2011
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!
ChefJune
November 3, 2011
I think I'll make this Sunday for a starter! It won't overpower the lamb that follows. :)
Congrats on the win!
Congrats on the win!
ChefJune
November 3, 2011
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.
Panfusine
November 3, 2011
Fabulous sounding.. Gotta try it out. Congratulations on the well deserved wildcard win Kayb!
MeghanVK
November 3, 2011
This looks awesome! There's a restaurant in NYC called Fig & Olive - they should serve this :) Can't wait to try it.
DAVILCHICK
November 2, 2011
I haven't even made this yet but I can tell by just reading the directions - it's my new favorite appetizer. :)
Kayb
November 2, 2011
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.
healthierkitchen
November 2, 2011
Congrats, Kayb, this sounds delicious and so easy! Perfect for this holiday season.
gingerroot
November 2, 2011
Congratulations! I love all the flavors here. This is my kind of party starter and I can't wait to try this.
EmilyC
November 2, 2011
Congrats! I'm always on the lookout for last-minute appetizers (especially around the holidays) and this one looks fabulous!
drbabs
November 2, 2011
I love everything about this--especially how you threw it together. Congratulations on the wildcard!
cheese1227
January 17, 2011
Oh my, what a great combo! I'm wondering if your green olives are going to offer that same zing that capers do??
wssmom
January 16, 2011
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!
ChefJune
January 14, 2011
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.
Kayb
January 14, 2011
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!)
See what other Food52ers are saying.