Pasta with olive tapenade?

[foodfiend]

Just bought a small container of black olive tapenade yesterday. It's been so hot up here, I wanted to make some quick pasta dish using it. Has anyone ever tried this? I thought of throwing it in with whole wheat pasta, parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Thanks.

[SusanL]

It sounds delightful to me, what time are you serving? ;)

[foodfiend]

What time can you make it here?

[catharine]

I love olive tapenade. I buy it at Trader Joe's - with or without goat cheese. I love to toss it with their dried mini ravioli (squash flavor) and some fresh broccoli (which I usually throw in the pasta water for the last couple minutes). Sprinkle a little shredded pecorino romano. Yum!

[EllenL]

Food Fiend, something that we do with olive tapenade is to use it as a spread on a sandwich: start with a good, crusty roll or bread, spread some goat cheese and olive tapenade. Put on arugula or spinach leaves, sprinkle with some capers. Yum!

[MISSINDI]

If I remember correctly, Tholbrook made a pasta like that, if not the same one, and liked it. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her around in awhile -- Tholbrook? You out there?

[tholbrook]

Hi! Yes, I'm here! The recipe I use is below...it's really quick and easy - so much so that you don't even really need the recipe. And I would imagine that any of the additions mentioned - cherry tomatoes, broccoli, etc. - would be delicious!

Spaghetti with Olive Paste

Recipe By :Healthy Cooking
Serving Size : 4
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
8 ounces spaghetti
3 ounces olive paste
1 pinch coarse salt
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Cook the pasta according to package instructions.

When pasta is done, drain and transfer to a large bowl. Mix in olive paste, salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the top and toss to mix. Top with parsley and serve immediately.

Source:
"Healthy Cooking, December 2004"

[shscharles]

My son (chest puffing up here) is the COO for Lindsay Olives and when they were testing tapenade I found myself the owner of many jars of the olive elixir. Some of the ways I found to use it:

As jholbrook above, on pasta w/olive oil
Spread on top of a nice runny brie or camembert
Tossed with brocolli and garlic
As a spread on all manner of sandwiches
Dolloped on sliced tomatoes

There's no end...just pull it out and experiment!

[JackieO]

We have a great local restaurant that uses olive tapenade as a substitute for mayo in many different sandwiches, but by far my favorite item on the menu is a pizza. Spread the tapenade on some focaccia or a pizza crust, top with feta cheese, red onion slices, mushrooms, olives and artichoke hearts and heat it on a grill or in an oven. Yum.

[Schmee]

Very timely! I just bought a jar on Sunday, we usually just spread it on french bread as an app. before dinner.
Some of these uses I had never thought of! I will have to make something with the tapanade tonight. Thanks all.