More Breadcrumbs

Traditional Provençal Tapenade With Capers, Anchovies, and Tuna Recipe

Daniel Gritzer
Traditional Proven\u00e7al Tapenade With Capers, Anchovies, and Tuna Recipe

A traditional tapenade based on the original 1880 recipe. [Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Unlike the modern version of tapenade, which features the olive more prominently than the other ingredients, this recipe is based on the original, created by a chef named Meynier at the Marseilles restaurant La Maison Dorée in 1880. It's made with equal parts olive, caper, and briny fish, like anchovies and oil-packed tuna—hence the fact that tapenade takes its name from capers (tapeno in Provençal) and not olives.

Why It Works

  • The higher ratio of capers and fish to olives produces a spread with a deeply savory, balanced, and briny flavor.
  • Tuna not only adds flavor, but also creates a protein-rich paste that helps form a more stable emulsion.

Read more: A Tale of Two Tapenades (and How to Make Them)

  • Yield:Makes about 1 cup
  • Total time:10 minutes with food processor, 25 minutes with mortar and pestle

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces pitted black olives (about 3/4 cup), such as Niçoise or oil-cured olives
  • 2 ounces drained capers (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 ounce drained oil-packed anchovy fillets (about 8 fillets)
  • 1 ounce drained oil-packed tuna (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 2 loosely packed teaspoons fresh oregano, marjoram, or thyme leaves (optional; see note)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional; see note)
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed
  • 1 teaspoon Cognac (optional; see note)

Directions

  1. 1.

    If using a food processor: In the processor work bowl, combine olives, capers, anchovies, and tuna; add herbs and mustard, if using. Process, scraping down the sides, until a finely chopped paste forms. With the processor running, drizzle in just enough olive oil to loosen to a spreadable paste, about 2 tablespoons. Process in Cognac, if using. Serve.

  2. 2.

    If using a mortar and pestle: Roughly chop olives, capers, and anchovies, then add to mortar with tuna. Add herbs and mustard, if using. Tap, crush, and smash with pestle until ingredients have been reduced to a thick paste (a little chunkiness is okay). Using pestle to blend, drizzle in just enough olive oil to form a spreadable paste, about 2 tablespoons. Work in Cognac, if using. Serve.

This Recipe Appears In
A Tale of Two Tapenades (and How to Make Them)

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Filed Under
Show 2 Comments