Lemon Basil Tapenade and GIVEAWAY!
{GIVEAWAY WINNERS!}
Congrats to the following winners! They will be receiving the new line of Star Fine Foods Olive Pouches and two coupons each for their own Star Fine Food product!
Congrats to Meryl and Sally!!
E-mails have been sent lades, keep an eye out! Happy Friday everyone and all the best for a fabulous weekend.
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Tapenade: (noun) a fancy ass appetizer paste made of olives, anchovies, olive oil and capers. Originating from the Provencal region of France. Utterly delightful spread on bread.
I’d heard of tapenade before, plenty of times. Never tried it.
It always seemed so lah-tee-dah that I filed it into the “never going to experience that one” drawer. Just the sound of it gave me the mental image of a caricaturized Dowager Countess Violet Grantham repeating “tapenade” in every sentence she could with a long drawn out sense of dry sarcasm and emphasis on the “awwwed” part of the word that only she could pull off. Tapen-awwwed.
Downton Abbey Lady Grantham, anyone? Okay, well if you don’t know about this woman you need to get your hot little hands on a DVD of this show. It’s been on an endless loop in my house with no sign of it ever being removed from the DVD player. (Or you can just watch this.)
Anyway. Tapenade.
Once I wiki’d everything I could about tapenade (yes, I wiki’d it) I laughed at the mere idea that it could be made in 5 minutes flat with the help of a food processor. Pssh. Easy. And what a taste!

For this little appeti-venture you’ll need 1/2 cup Star Basil marinated Green Olives, 2 fillets anchovies, 1/4 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp capers, 1/4 cup Lemon Inufsed Olive Oil. If you can’t get your hot little hands on these beauties don’t fret – feel the freedom to add in 1/2 tsp lemon zest and 2 Tablespoons minced basil to the mix instead. I know my grocery is notorious for not having wide variety of product to choose from.

Into my mini-prep went the whole package (2.5 oz – 1/2 cup) of basil marinated olives.

One tsp of capers. Add more if you’re feeling daring.

1/4 cup Star lemon-infused Olive Oil. (Can I just tell you this stuff is amazeballs. Really. I’ve been using it like a mad woman.)

2 anchovies fillets.
*Sidebar*: Anchovies are one of those foods I’ve never been able to get behind. They seal the deal in tapenade, and give a new complexity to bologonese – but my little sister eats them right out of the can. Seriously. Weirdo.

1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp ground pepper.
Seal the lid, pulse until ground (5- 2 second pulses) and viola! Done!

I immediately slathered some onto sourdough bread and shoved it in my mouth before I could even take a breath. I really should have rethought that plan of action. Breathing in between bites is important. Breathe, bite, savor, breathe again.
This is on appetizer that will not disappoint. It sounds fancy – and will easily impress even the most discerning of individuals. *Cough*Lady Grantham*Cough*
Print
Lemon Basil Tapenade
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1/4 cup 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This is an appetizer that will not disappoint. It sounds fancy, it only takes a few minutes to make in your food processor, and it is wonderful on sliced bread.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Green Olives, Basil Marinated if possible*
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil, Lemon infused if possible*
- 1 tsp Capers
- 2 fillets Anchovies
- 1/4 tsp minced Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Pepper
- *1/2 tsp Lemon Zest, if infused olive oil is not available
- *2 Tbsp minced Basil, if marinated olives are not available
Instructions
- Into food processor combine all ingredients**. Pulse until all ingredients are minced finely and almost paste-like. About 5 2-second pulses. Scrape down sides and pulse again if necessary, so all pieces are uniform in size.
- Serve immediately, or store in airtight container for later use. Stir before serving. Wonderful on sliced bread for an appetizer.
Notes
*If infused olive oil is not available – use regular olive oil and add in 1/2 tsp Lemon Zest to mixture*
*If basil marinated green olives are not available – use jarred green olives and add in 2 Tbsp fresh minced basil leaves*
Now – for the giveaway! I know that’s what you’ve all been waiting for!
Star Fine Foods has ever so generously sent me these packages of marinated olive pouches to give a whirl and I’m happy to report they are fantastic! While making this tapenade, I had to steal away a few olives from the recipe… I wanted to share the joy of marinated olives and giveaway two gift sets of these olives away and two coupons for free Star Products to each of two winners!
Included in each package is:

1 – Olives with Provencal Herbs
1- Olives with Basil
1- Olives Pitted
1- Olives stuff with Pimiento
1- Manzanilla Olives Pitted
2 – Coupons for Free Star Fine Foods Products
You’ll be making Mediterranean food until the cows come home!
To Enter:
– Tell me, Have you ever tried tapenade before?
– Like Star Fine Foods on Facebook
– Like Wanna Be A Country Cleaver on Facebook
– Follow Star Fine Foods on Twitter {@Star_Fine_Foods}
– Follow Wanna Be A Country Cleaver on Twitter {@CountryCleaver}
– Follow Wanna Be A Country Cleaver on Instagram {@CountryCleaver}
– Subscribe to Wanna Be A Country Cleaver via e-mail
– Follow Wanna Be A Country Clever on Pinterest (If you need an invite, e-mail me at [email protected])
This giveaway will continue until March 23rd, when the winners will be announced. They will have 48 Hours to contact me or alternate winners will be chosen. Winners are chosen through a random number generator and will be e-mailed directly, announced here, on Facebook and through Twitter. Star Fine Foods was generous enough to provide these Olive Pouches for my review and for this giveaway. All opinions and recipes are my own.
Yummmmm. I love tapenade, it’s on my menu this weekend. This sounds amazing!
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I’ve never had tapenade but it’d been on my ‘things to make’ list for ages! You’ve inspired me to give it a go 🙂
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I love tapenade!
Love tapenade, we make a roasted salmon with tapenade on top, yum!
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Love me some tapenade. Never made it myself, but have bought plenty of jars if that counts 🙂 Is this going to be served at your Downton Abbey party? If so, I might make a special trip out west for some 😉
Follow you on twitter already 🙂
And instagram…
and lastly…fb
i have tried tapenade before
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I have not tried tapenade but would like to
I LOVE tapenade! I love olives and capers and anchovies, yum! Unfortunately my husband is not an olive man, so I don’t get it often. Should they find their way into my house though, I wouldn’t have trouble eating them all myself. 🙂
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When we first married we had Tramp 1’s boss and wife for dinner. I made a tuna tapenade. It was awful but everyone was so very polite about it. I can still see this brown/gray mass in a large wine glass…
I have never tried tapenade before.
This is such a wonderful recipe..Thanks for posting it..Bookmarked..
Aarthi
http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/
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I LOVE tapenade on a toasted baguette and bet I’d love this lemon-basil version even more! Looks lovely. Great giveaway!
I freaking love anchovies–it’s what makes the flavor of caesar dressing so amazing! Sidebar: the ONLY way I’ll eat olives is in tapenade. I know, I’m weird, and a very, very bad Italian.
No I have never tried tapenade. Like all of the ingredients.
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Yes, I’ve tried a tapenade before! Delicious!
Yes, tapenade is great!
You have some guts, girly…I shy away from cooking with anchovies despite how much I enjoy the taste of them in a good Cesar salad. Tapanade sounds like a delicious snack right now – I have bought it in a jar, but never made it myself. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and take the anchovy and tapanade plunge because you make it look so easy and tasty!
I’ve heard of tapanade, but have never tasted it. Thanks for sharing the recipe and the great giveaway!
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I liked Star Fine Foods on Facebook. Thanks!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com
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I love olive tapenade!! They serve it with hummus at a local restaurant here and it’s DELISH!! I’ve never thought of making it on my own though. Thanks for the recipe!
I follow your Wanna Be a Country Clever Recipe board on pinterest!
i have not yet tried it. sounds yummy though.
My husband is nutty for tapenade. Gonna save this one! I follow you on FB.
I follow you on zee Twitter too!
Yep, on Pinterest too.
And, finally, I follow you on Instagram.
I love tapenade and have made it!
I’m a follower on Twitter!
I”ve liked the olives on FB!!
You got some great boards on Pinterest, and I’m following you!
I’m also sharing your giveaway on my FB page!
No I have never tried it.
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1. I do not need to win the olives.
2. Where do you source Ferran’s oil?
3. I think you really need to read The Sorcerer’s Apprentices.
4. You are officially invited to write all of my food definitions from here on out.
Lordy, does this look good! My favorite way to eat tapenade is to slather it all over a hummus covered hunk of bread. Knocks your socks off!
NO…I’ve never tried tapenade before! But I sure would love to make some….
I’ve liked your page on Facebook!
I’m following you on Twitter!
I’m following Star Fine Foods on Twitter now too!
I’m an email subscriber!
I just started following some of your boards on Pinterest!
Yes, I’ve had tapenade before. I could eat a batch all by myself!
Already liked your FB page!
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i have tried tapenade before and i don’t like it. i don’t like olives; they are too salty for me. But Mr.Surly LOVES them.
I’m so glad to find someone else obsessed with Downton Abbey. i’m dying for season 2.
Never tried tapenade but LOVE olives
Liked Star Foods on FB
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Yes, I have tried tapenade, and I LOVE it! Just about anything that includes olives is wonderful though! This would be a great and Yummy giveaway to win!
i have had tapenade at cafes but never made it myself! i have always wanted to because i really enjoy it!!
liked star fine foods on fb!
i like you on fb!!
following star fine foods on twitter.
i’ve been following you on twitter 🙂
i’m following you via email.
…and i follow you on pinterest. ps, i really like olives 🙂
I follow you on facebook
I follow you on twitter too 🙂
Never tried tapenade, but I may now that you shared this recipe. Thank you!
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love,love,love tapenade!!!
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I have tried tapenade before and love it
follow star foods on facebook: carolyn gonzalez
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I love tepanade, especially with these ingredients.
I love olives in anything, looks like a delicious recipe!
I HAVE had tapenade and I adore it! Though I must admit that I have never made my own before..I have mostly bought my Tapenaaaawwwwde *pinky up* when I could afford it from a fancy-schmancy specialty store or similar. Needless to say, I did not indulge often…but now I can! This recipe looks excellent and remings me of the spread that I had on a Muffeletta! Please include me in this excellent and fun contest
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I love tapenade. I tried it once at a party and was totally hooked. I would make it more often only olives rarely last longer than a day or two in my house. Hehe 🙂
Yes, I’ve tried tapenade before. Thanks for the giveaway!
i’ve never tried tapenade before but it sounds delish! i follow you on fb and pinterest =) and i also like star fine foods on fb…. i love your give aways you are awesome!
HAHAHA! “Fancy ass appetizer paste”…that’s hysterical! I love tapenade so much. It’s delicious 🙂 Excited about the giveaway!
Love your stuff! Hope I win!
I LOVE tapenade. I’m thinking of surprising my boyfriend with a picnic tomorrow, and I’m going to give this recipe a try.
I’ve liked your Facebook page.
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I’m following Star Fine Foods on Facebook.
I’m following you on Pinterest
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I have never tried this recipe before. sounds good. I think i might give it a try:)
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Yes, I’ve tried tapenade and I love it! Thanks for the recipe!
Never tried tapenade, but would love too. : )
I liked you on Facebook.
I am following you on Pinterest.
I liked Star Fine Foods on Facebook.
I don’t do Intagram or Twitter.
Hope I don’t need to do these seperately… : )
Oh yeah, & I subscribed to Wanna Be A Country Cleaver via e-mail. : )
I have always wanted to try it!!
I haven’t tried tapenade before but I love olives and also making homemade bread!
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