Artichoke Tapenade Recipe: How to Serve Artichoke Tapenade

Tapenade is a savory spread typically made of black olives and capers that you can enjoy as an appetizer or dip. While usually associated with the Provençal area of France, you can also find Mediterranean-style tapenades that include artichoke hearts, red peppers, or pine nuts in addition to olives.

Artichoke hearts are the main ingredient in artichoke tapenade, but you can add other veggies, herbs, or spices to customize the tapenade to your personal preferences. Here are three variations you can make by adding a complementary ingredient:

1. 1. Artichoke and roasted red pepper tapenade: Add a half cup of roasted red peppers (jarred peppers are fine) to the food processor along with the rest of your ingredients.
2. 2. Artichoke and olive tapenade: Include a half cup of pitted kalamata olives or green olives to add a briny tang to your tapenade recipe.
3. 3. Artichoke and pine nut tapenade: Stir 2–4 tablespoons of roasted pine nuts into the blended tapenade mixture right before you serve it. Alternatively, you can try puréeing the pine nuts along with the other ingredients if you prefer a smoother consistency.

Artichoke tapenade is a versatile, delicious spread or condiment if you like the flavor of artichokes. Here are a few ways to use homemade or store-bought artichoke tapenade:

1. 1. As an appetizer or dip: Serve a bowl of artichoke tapenade alongside cut veggies, crostini, or baguette slices.
2. 2. On sandwiches: Add a thick layer of the tapenade to meat or cheese sandwiches made with toasted slices of baguette or pita bread.
3. 3. On top of pasta: Purée the tapenade in a food processor until it becomes extra smooth, then stir it into hot pasta in place of pasta sauce. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a spoonful of parmesan cheese before you serve it.