a list of recipes > Olive, Pistachio, and Date Tapenade
Olive, Pistachio, and Date Tapenade
This Tapenade has a puzzling and complex flavor. The Pistachios lend an deep nutty richness and the Dates contribute a robust savory sweetness that may seem unexpected yet remarkable.
Each of the ingredients is associated with a well known and distinct flavor, but the combination manifests itself in a series of tantalizing sensations and fleeting recognitions. The mixture provides the satiety of a favorite comfort food, yet seems exotic and mysterious. It tastes delicious, but it is difficult to discern exactly why. One moment the olives stand out, then the richness of the pistachio becomes evident, then the dark dusky sweetness of the dates grows prominent. These waves of recognition repeat over and over again while you savor the complexity. You will have to try it for yourself to understand what the babbling is all about.
The specific recommendation of the Simple Truth Green Olives is based on the fact this particular product is packed with a minimum of extra ingredients so the olives taste less like the preservatives and more like olives. If this brand of olives is not readily available, use your favorite and soak and rinse the olives with water a few times to wash the flavors of any extra ingredients away.
Ingredients:
- 1 small Sweet Onion chopped fine
- 2 Teaspoons of Salt
- 4 large cloves Garlic freshly roasted and then minced
- Peanut Oil to cover the bottom of a small fry pan
- 1 5.6 ounce jar of Simple Truth Green Olives
- 2 Tablespoons of chopped Kalamata Olives
- 1 Tablespoon of minced Capers
- 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of shelled Pistachios
- 4 large Fresh Medjool Dates chopped into very small pieces
- 1/4 cup of minced Sun Dried Tomatoes
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper freshly ground
Preparation:
Pre Heat a small pan then add Peanut Oil to cover the bottom.
Add the chopped Onion and Salt to the small pan. Caramelize the Onion until the pieces are browned and begin to crisp. This will take a about one hour on medium heat to get the best results.
Roast the cloves of Garlic. Mince and place the Garlic in a large mixing bowl.
Chop the Green Olives into small but coarse sized chunks, and add them to the mixing bowl.
Add the chopped Kalamata Olives to the bowl.
Add the minced Capers to the olive mixture.
Add the Olive Oil to the mix.
Chop the Pistachios into coarse chunks. Add the Pistachios to the mix.
Chop the Dates into small pieces then add them to the mix.
Chop the Sun-dried Tomatoes into small pieces then add them to the mix.
Grind the Black Pepper then add it to the mix.
Transfer the coked Onions to the mix, while leaving as much of the cooking oil in the fry pan as practical.
Thoroughly mix the contents of the bowl with a gentle motion. Transfer the mix to a serving dish.
Cover the serving dish and chill the Tapenade in a refrigerator where the flavors may blend together.
Serve when ready.